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TO THE fort! the REDCOATS ARE COMING!” SHOUTED TOM MALLISON AS HE RODE BY.— Page 129. 



A BRAVE DEFENSE 


A STORY OF THE MASSACRE AT FORT 
GRISWOLD IN 1781. 



22368 

Bn., 


66152 


Library of Ckjntiress 

Two C0P(ES Rechpeo 

JUL 20 1900 

Copyright tatry 

SECOH© COPY. 

DeiManadI to 

OROtS WVJSION, 

UjL-^.1 1900 


Copyright, 1900, by A. L. Burt. 


A BRAVE DEFENSE. 
By William P. Chipman. 


CONTENTS, 


Chapter. 

, I. Two New Recruits ; 5 

II. A Startling Conversation 16 

III. At Fort Trumbull 29 

IV. An Unsuccessfiil Search 40 

V. Across the River 52 

VI. A Nest of Tories 64 

VII. Caught 77 

■ VIII. The Four Fishermen 90 

IX. The Coming of the Fleet 103 

X. The Evacuation of Fort Trumbull 116 

XI. Tom Mallison’s Exploit 128 

XII. A Heroic Answer 140 

XIII. A Plucky Escape 152 

XIV. Recaptured 163 

XV. The Surrender 176 

XVI. The Work of Fiends 186 

XVII. Prisoners 201 

XVIII. Old Acquaintances 213 

XIX. A Hazardous Undertaking 226 

XX. A Successful Ruse 244 





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LIST OF ILLUSTRATIONS. 


“To the Fort! the Redcoats are coming!” shouted Tom 
Mallison as he rode by Frontispiece. 

PAGE 

“ Good-bye, Mother;” and with a wave of his hat Daniel 
disappeared over the brow of the hill 18 

Before he could spike the gun, the corporal and Levi 
sprang upon the intruder 69 

“ That is the very box I was looking for, youngster! drop 
it,” said the great burly Redcoat 165 

“A little farther, captain, and we are safe,” Tom cried, 
as he saw his comrade falter 193 

“General Arnold desires your presence at once in the 
city,” the officer boldly announced 351 


A Brave Defense. 





EXPLANATOEY NOTE. 


On March 15, 1880, the following item ap- 
peared in the United States Congressional 
Eecord : 

“ Whereas, the battle of Groton Heights was 
one of the closing events of the American Eev- 
olution, preceding the final surrender of the 
British forces at Yorktown, in Virginia, only 
one month and thirteen days, and is logically 
and historically connected with that great event ; 
and 

“ Whereas, the State of Connecticut has al- 
ready commenced preparations for the Centen- 
nial Celebration of this battle, the massacre at- 
tendant upon the capture of Port Griswold and 
the burning of New London — all scenes in the 
bloody drama of September sixth, seventeen 
hundred and eighty -one ; and 

“ Whereas, the people of the other states of the 
Union, proud of the part which their fathers 


2 


EXPLANATORY NOTE. 


took in achieving American Independence, 
and actuated by the feeling of a common brother- 
hood, must desire to unite with the people of Con- 
necticut in paying a proper tribute to the pa- 
triotism, dauntless courage, and heroic sacrifice 
of the noble band of men who fought valiantly 
against superior numbers of British troops, and 
chose death rather than surrender their homes 
to the brutality and lust of the invaders : There- 
fore, 

“ Be it Enacted by the Senate and House 
OF Representatives of the United States in 
Congress Assembled that the sum of five thou- 
sand dollars be and. the same is hereby appropri- 
ated, out of any money in the treasury not 
otherwise appropriated, to be expended by 
the Centennial Committee of the Groton Monu- 
ment Association, under the direction of the 
Secretary of War, for the purpose of aiding 
to defray the expenses which will be incurred 
in celebrating the one hundredth anniversary 
of the battle and massacre at Fort Griswold, 
or Groton Heights, and the burning of New 
London on the sixth of September, seventeen 


EXPLANATORY NOTE. 


3 


hundred and eighty-one, in such a manner as 
shall befit the historical significance of that 
event, and be indicative of the present power, 
prosperity, and greatness of the United States 
as a nation.” . 

It is the historical event alluded to in the 
above enactment that these pages attempt to 
describe. In the preparation of the story the 
writer has had free access to the narratives of 
eight participants or eye-witnesses of the bat- 
tle ; to a list of those engaged in the struggle, 
including a biographical sketch of each ; to a 
list of the buildings destroyed in New London 
and Groton ; to the British account of the ex- 
pedition ; to Arnold’s official report to General 
Clinton ; and t5 other state and official docu- 
ments, as well as to several well known and au- 
thentic histories. He trusts, therefore, that he 
has accurately depicted what is generally ac- 
knowledged to have been one of the most heroic, 
though unsuccessful, defenses in the annals of 
American history 


WILLIAM P. CHIPMAN. 


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A BRAVE DEFENSE. 


CHAPTER I. 

TWO NEW RECRUITS. 

Through tlie dusk of an evening, early in 
September, 1781, two men, carrying muskets, 
and marcking side by side with the step and 
precision of soldiers, came down the knoll lead- 
ing to the Lyme Ferry a few miles above the 
mouth of the Connecticut River. The ferryman, 
about to tie up his rude craft for the night, 
heard their footsteps, and, anticipating another 
trip across the streaiji, dropped the hawser and 
waited for their approach. In a few minutes 
they were near enough for him to recognize them 
as old acquaintances, and he accosted them: 

“ Hello, Master Kirtland, and you too. Mas- 
ter Sanford ! How comes it you are so far from 
Fort Trumbull to-night ? ” 


5 


6 


A BRAVE DEFENSE. 


“ I am called home by the sickness of my 
wife,” the elder man, who had been addressed 
as Kirtland, responded; ‘‘and as for John, he 
is on a furlough for thirty days to recuperate 
his strength. Exposure and fever have not left 
him in the best shape, and Captain Shapley 
thought a month’s rest would do him good. 
Can you put us across the river to-night ? ” 

The ferryman’s answer came in action rather 
than in words ; for he immediately pushed otf 
the flatboat, hoisted her sail, and headed her 
up the stream. But when well under way he 
remarked : 

“ Not much going on at the fort I take it, if 
two of you can be spared at once.” 

“Not a great deal,” Kirtland, who was still 
the spokesman, admitted ; “ but as we never 
know when the enemy may strike it does not 
suit the captain to reduce his small force. Both 
Master Sanford and myself are to send back 
substitutes in the morning.” 

After this reply the two soldiers walked for- 
ward, but whether to avoid further conversation, 
or to get a glimpse of the opposite shore on 


TWO NEW RECRUITS. 7 

which their homes were, the boatman could not 
tell. Left alone, however, he gave his full 
attention to his scow. 

Owing to the rapidity of the current he was 
compelled, under the light evening breeze, to 
run well up the river, than tacking to the south- 
west, he finally reached the landing, nearly op- 
posite his starting-point. 

“ There you are,” he exclaimed, as the craft 
touched the shore ; “ and it won’t be long now 
before you are under your own roofs.” 

His passengers assented, and, paying him the 
usual fee for the river passage, they clambered 
up the steep bank of the stream to the road 
above. A half mile down the latter, however, 
they parted with a pleasant “ Good night, com- 
rade,” each to each — Kirtland going to the left, 
a direction which soon brought him into the 
village of Say brook, and whose lights, plainly 
visible through the darkness, accelerated his 
steps ; while Sanford turned to the right in 
order to reach the small farm of his father, 
Daniel Sanford. 

He did not have over a mile to go, and though 


8 


A BRAVE DEFENSE. 


far from being strong, as the words of his com- 
rade to the ferryman had indicated, still he cov- 
ered the distance in an incredibly short time, and 
soon threw open the door of the old homestead. 

It was a large, roomy kitchen into which he 
entered, and the next moment a chorus of voices 
was bidding him welcome. 

“ It’s J ohn ! My son ! my son ! ” a middle-aged 
woman cried, and the next instant she was folded 
in the arms of the new-comer, whose own emotion 
was so great it was with some difficulty he 
ejaculated : 

“ Mother ! ” 

A half dozen children, of various sizes and 
ages, from the dignified maiden of twenty to the 
romp of a dozen years, then clamored for their 
turn of greeting ; among the number, a stalwart 
lad of sixteen, who wrung the hand of his 
brother with a grip that made him wince, saying : 

“ Hello, John, old fellow ! Let me have your 
knapsack and gun ! ” and a moment later he bore 
the accouterments of the young soldier off to a 
corner of the room, where he proceeded to give 
them his undivided attention. 


TWO NEW RECRUITS. 


9 


Have you no word for me, John ? ” a trem- 
ulous voice now asked from a bench near the 
fireplace, and an old man, bent and crippled, 
slowly struggled to his feet. 

“ Of course I have, grandfather,” the young 
man answered ; and crossing the room with a 
manly stride he gave his aged relative a greeting 
scarcely less affectionate than that he had be- 
stowed upon his mother. 

The latter had already begun to set the table 
for her son, and in a few minutes he was par- 
taking of the plain but bounteous fare she 
placed before him with an appetite that showed 
how he relished his mother’s cooking. 

‘‘ How long can you stay at home, J ohn ? ” the 
lad who had taken the accouterments now in- 
quired from the corner where he was still fond- 
ling the musket. 

That depends, Halsey,” John replied slowly, 
not so much because his mouth was full of food, 
as to mark the effect of his words on the boy. 
“ The captain said I might remain home a month 
if I could find a substitute.” 

With a bound Halsey reached the table, his 


10 


A BRAVE DEFENSE. 


whole form quivering with excitement, his eyes 
bright with a new-born hope. 

“ I’ll go for you, J ohn,” he cried. “ See, I’m 
sixteen and nearly as tall as you ; and I’ve dialled 
with the minute-men until I can handle a gun 
with the best of them ! ” and he waited almost 
breathlessly for the answer. 

John looked up at the lad with a reassuring 
smile. 

“ The captain consented to take you in my 
place for thirty days,” he responded, “ and you 
can go over to the fort to-morrow and report to 
him, if you want to ; ” then noticing the look of 
misgiving on his mother’s face he added to her : 
‘‘ He’s as safe there as here, mother ; for there’s 
not much likelihood of the British coming this 
way for some time. They have all they can 
attend to in other directions.” 

What is the latest news from our forces ? ” 
queried his grandfather with an eagerness that 
told how deeply interested he was, in spite of 
his years and infirmities, in the great struggle 
going on for the independence of the colonies. 

“ Well, grandfather,” John made answer, the 


TWO NEW RECRUITS. 


11 


very latest thing they are talking about over at 
the fort is the way General Washington has 
fooled the British commander at New York. The 
tidings have just reached us. It seems last May 
Lord Cornwallis came up from his disastrous 
campaign in North Carolina and joined forces 
with the traitor Arnold in Virginia. The latter, 
however, was soon recalled to New York by 
General Clinton, leaving Cornwallis in sole com- 
mand of the British forces. General Lafayette, 
who had been sent down to Virginia with twelve 
hundred men to defeat Arnold, and, if possible, 
catch and hang him, was joined by Generals 
Steuben and Wayne with about four thousand 
additional troops, and they pressed Cornwallis 
so hard that about the first of August he was 
compelled to fortify himself at Yorktown. 

“ About the same time General Washington 
received news from Count De Grasse that he 
would leave Saint Domingo on August third 
with twenty-five or thirty ships of the line and 
a considerable body of land forces, and steer 
immediately for the Chesapeake. So our com- 
mander-in-chief immediately sent word to Gen- 


12 


A BRAVE DEFENSE. 


eral Lafayette to take all possible means to keep 
Lord Cornwallis from retreating to North Caro- 
lina, adding: ‘You will bear further from me.’ 

“ Then he caused letters to fall into the hands 
of General Clinton, which alarmed him for 
the safety of New York. He thought our gen- 
eral was concentrating all his forces for an 
attack there. Instead General Washington, 
taking all the troops that could be spared, 
started secretly for Virginia to crush Cornwallis. 
He crossed into New Jersey August 25th, and 
that is about all we know. But he must now 
be at Philadelphia or beyond that point, and we 
are expecting soon to hear that the British have 
been compelled to surrender.” 

“ Unless General Clinton discovers his move- 
ment, and sends reinforcements to Lord Corn- 
wallis,” suggested the old man musingly, and 
leaning his chin upon the top of his cane. 

“ I overheard Colonel Ledyard and Captains 
Shapley and Latham* talking about the matter,” 

* Captain Adam Shapley was in command at Fort Trumbull, 
Captain William Latham was in command at Ford Griswold ; 
While Colonel William Ledyard commanded all New London 
and Groton force?. 


TWO NEW RECRUITS. 


13 


the young soldier said, “ and they were agreed 
that it was now too late for reinforcements to 
reach Yorktown in time to be of any service, 
even if Sir Henry Clinton became aware of 
General Washington’s plan. But so far as we 
know he does not yet suspect it.” 

“ God grant that when he does discover it he 
shall not in his anger retaliate on some of our 
defenseless places along the coast ! ” his grand- 
father ejaculated fervently. 

“ Have no fear of that, sir,” the younger man 
cried. “We all feel that the capture of Corn- 
wallis will end the war, and nothing can prevent 
that now. I have another piece of news that 
will interest you too, sir, as an old shipmaster. 
One of our privateers brought into New London 
a few days ago the British ship Hannah, con- 
taining a cargo valued at over four hundred 
thousand dollars.” 

“ A good haul ! ” exclaimed the old gentleman, 
rubbing his hands gleefully together ; “ and it 
will do us a good turn too. Their loss is our 
gain every time. Eeally, John, I do not know 
but I shall live to see our independence estab- 


14 


A BRAVE DEFENSE. 


lished. If so my prayer shall then be that of 
the devout Simeon : ‘ Lord, now lettest thou thy 
servant depart in peace.’ ” 

There was a silence for a moment or two after 
the old grandsire’s fervent words, broken at 
length by Mistress Sanford, who inquired of her 
son : 

“ Did you come home alone, John ? ” 

“ No, mother, I meant to have told you that 
Andrew Kirtland came with me. He is called 
here on account of the sickness of his wife.” 

‘‘ Yes, poor woman,” replied she. “ I sat up 
with her two nights ago. Her time with us is 
short, I fear, though Andrew may be kept by 
her bedside some days before the end comes.” 

“ Will he have to furnish a substitute ? ” 
Halsey asked suddenly. “ If so, I wish it might 
be Dan Williams. He and I were talking about 
enlisting as soon as he is sixteen — that will be 
in a few months more — and we promised to go 
together.” 

John smiled again. 

“ I knew the desire of you two lads,” he re- 
marked, “ and suggested Daniel to Master Kirt- 


TWO NEW RECRUITS. 


15 


land. He was going to stop at Captain Charles’ 
on his way to his own home, and secure the boy 
if possible.” 

“ Oh ! mother, let me run down there and see 
if Dan is going,” Halsey cried. “ I shall want 
to know whether he can go, and what hour I 
am to meet him at the ferry.” 

“ But it is two miles down there,” objected 
his mother. 

“What are two miles,” exclaimed the lad 
contemptuously, “ to — to a soldier ? ” 

The permission was given, and across lots — 
the nearest way to the village — Halsey rapidly 
sped. When about half way there he jumped 
upon a wall and bobbed his own head against 
that of his friend, who at the same moment was 
leaping up from the other side. 

“ Halsey, I’m going ! ” cried out one. 

“ Daniel, I’m going ! exclaimed the other. 

And there on the wall they sat for an hour 
talking over their arrangements. Finally the 
two new recruits parted with the understanding 
that they were to meet at the ferry on their 
way to Fort Trumbull at nine o’clock the next 
morning. 


16 


A BRAVE DEFENSE. 


CHAPTEE II. 

A STARTLING CONVERSATION. 

Before half -past eight the next day Mistress 
Temperance Williams, the mother of Daniel, 
was out on the back porch of her humble 
dwelling, assisting her son in adjusting the 
accouterments which Andrew Kirtland had 
turned over to his young substitute. As she 
performed her task she remarked : 

“ I have put a complete change of clothing in 
the knapsack, Daniel, and also an ample luncheon 
for your wayside dinner. Be a good boy, and 
do just what Captain Shapley tells you. I’m 
glad you are to be under a man of such ex- 
cellent reputation.” 

“ There ! ” she then ejaculated, securing the 
last strap ; then she continued : “ If I had 
thought there was any likelihood of a battle 
while you were at the fort, I should never have 


A STARTLING CONVERSATION. 17 

consented to your going in Master Kirtland’s 
place. But lie is sure the fighting for the next 
month or two is to be altogether in the south. 
I wish, though, he had left that gun at the bar- 
racks. Is it loaded ? ” 

The last remark with its accompanying 
question was doubtless called forth by the 
lad’s picking up the musket preparatory to his 
departure. 

The idea of my being a soldier and having 
no gun, mother,” he replied with a pleasant 
laugh. “ Yes, it is loaded, but I have not put 
any priming into the pan, and I wull promise 
you not to do so until I reach Fort Trumbull, 
unless I have an occasion to use the weapon. 
You, who have allowed two of your boys to 
enter the army and are proud of their achieve- 
ments, are the last one to want me to be un- 
prepared in any emergency that might arise ; ” 
and the boy gazed at her with conscious pride. 

‘‘ True,” she responded with a heavy sigh ; 
‘‘but you are so young, Daniel — not yet six- 
teen, and— and my baby ; I could not bear it if 

anything should happen to you,” and the mother 

2 


18 


A BRAVE DEFENSE. 


heart in her gave way, and she folded him, 
accouterments and all, to her breast, sobbing 
convulsively. 

Brave and manly as the lad was, and he was 
soon to prove that he possessed both of those 
traits, he was not ashamed to show his love for 
his mother, and for a few moments he returned 
her embrace with scarcely less emotion. Then 
with a hearty kiss he said : 

“ There, mother, I must be off, or Halsey will 
be kept waiting. Good-by ! and be sure I 
shall send you a letter whenever any one comes 
this way.” 

“ Good-by ! ” she returned, obtaining control 
of her feelings by a heroic effort ; and then, she 
stood there watching him, until with a wave 
of his hat he disappeared over the brow of an 
adjacent hill. 

About the same hour a similar scene was 
taking place at the Sanford farm, though a 
half dozen voices there mingled in the farewell 
words that were spoken ; and then Halsey, 
wearing the accouterments of his brother John, 
hastened down the south road, hoping to meet 



GOOD BYE, MOTHERJ^' AND WITH A WAVE OF HIS HAT DANIEL DISAPPEARED OVER 

THE BROW OF THE HILL.— Page 18. A Bvavc De/eme, 









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A STARTLING CONVERSATION. 


19 


his comrade at its junction with the main high- 
way, a half mile west of the ferry. 

In this he was not disappointed, since he 
reached the desired point a moment or two 
ahead of Daniel, and together the lads walked 
on towards the river. As they went down its 
bank they saw there was another passenger 
besides themselves to be ferried over. For a 
horseman was already on the shore, waiting for 
the boat, which he had signaled, to come over 
from the opposite side. 

He was an elderly man, tall, smooth-faced, 
well-dressed, and elegantly mounted, but withal 
ill-favored — a man whose countenance suggested 
cunning, cruelty, and deceit — a man to be feared 
rather than trusted. For some reason, which 
they might have found it hard to express in 
words, the young soldiers gave the stocks of their 
guns a firmer clutch the moment they beheld 
him, and were glad they had the weapons with 
them. 

But if they did not like the looks of the rider, 
he evidently was not pleased with their appear- 
ance, or their coming. For when he had once 


20 


A BRAVE DEFENSE. 


turned in tlie saddle to glance at them, on hear- 
ing their footsteps, he scowled quite perceptibly, 
and could not civilly return their polite if not 
hearty — Good morning, sir.” 

No further conversation took place between 
them until the ferryboat had landed, and they 
were embarked for the river passage. Then, 
as though he had been suddenly transformed 
into another person, the horseman smiled affably 
at the lads, saying : 

“You belong to Fort Trumbull, I take it, 
young gentlemen?” 

“Yes, sir,” they admitted. 

“ How large a force have you there now ? ” 
he then inquired carelessly enough. 

But the two new recruits were both shrewd 
beyond their years. Instinctively they felt the 
man had his own and perhaps not the best of 
reasons for obtaining the information he sought, 
and though quite able from report to have told 
him the exact number of men under Captain 
Shapley, they, with a quick glance at each 
other, mutually decided not to do so. Halsey 
became the spokesman : 


A STARTLING CONVERSATION. 


21 


“We are now on our way to join the forces 
there, and can tell you better after our arrival 
how large their number is,” he responded dip- 
lomatically. 

The man did not seem to notice the diplo- 
macy of the answer, however. Perhaps because 
of another thought that had now become the 
prominent one in his mind. 

“ Are they calling in reinforcements there ? ” 
he questioned, and though he apparently strove 
not to show it, there was some alarm in his tones. 

“ Well, the forces are not being lessened any,” 
young Sanford answered evasively. 

A disturbed look passed over the questioner’s 
face, and he acted as though he wished to in- 
terrogate the lads further, but for some reason 
refrained. A few minutes later, however, on 
riding off of the boat, he remarked with well- 
assumed indifference : 

“ You take the shore road to the city, I sup- 
pose ? ” 

“ Yes, sir,” the boys replied, for they did not 
know any reason why they should conceal that 
fact. 


22 


A BRAVE DEFENSE. 


“ I take the upper one,” he retorted ; so 
good day,” and he then galloped away. 

‘‘Well, what do you make of him ?” Daniel 
inquired of his comrade when the horseman was 
out of hearing ; but before Halsey could respond 
the ferryman spoke up : 

“ I will tell you who and what he is, lads. I 
know him, though he may not think it. He is 
James Tilley, who has a residence on Bank 
Street, New London, and he is the rankest kind 
of a Tory. For months it has not been safe for 
him to show his head in the city, and you may 
be sure his return there — for I presume that is 
where he is going — means no good to the cause. 
I’d advise you to tell Captain Shapley that he 
crossed the river vdth you to-day, and he’ll see 
that an eye is kept on the villain.” 

The boys promised to do so, and began their 
eighteen mile tramp for the fort. Through 
South Lyme, and across the bay at East Lyme 
by ferry, was their route, and one o’clock found 
them in Waterford neck, three or four miles 
from their destination. In a little glen, thickly 
wooded, and through which a small stream of 


A STARTLING CONVERSATION. 23 

sparkling water ran, they ate their dinner. 
This finished, they stretched themselves out 
upon the ground for an hour’s rest before they 
resumed their journey. But the quiet of the 
place, together with the hearty repast they had 
eaten, had rendered them sleepy, and they were 
rapidly sinking into a doze when the sudden sound 
of voices close at hand thoroughly aroused them. 

Sit down here. Master Beckwith, and I’ll tell 
you first why I’m here, and then suggest a work 
I have for you to do,” a voice not altogether 
unfamiliar was saying. “ I asked you to come 
out here, for I thought it quite as well that 
Mistress Beckwith did not hear us. She is not 
as loyal to the king as her husband is,” the 
speaker added with a laugh. 

‘‘ So much the worse for her,” growled his 
companion. 

“ It’s the Tory,” young Williams exclaimed in 
a whisper. ‘‘ He came the shore route after all.” 

‘‘ Hush ! ” Halsey responded with a nod of 
his head, signifying his comrade was right in his 
conclusion. “Let us hear what they have to 
say, it may be we shall have some valuable 


24 


A BRAVE DEFENSE. 


information for tlie captain when we reach the 
fort,” and with their ears alert, the two lads 
waited for the next words. 

‘‘ To make myself understood I must first tell 
you of the dastardly trick the rebel chief Wash- 
ington has played on Sir Henry Clinton,” the 
Tory began, and with many a bitter invective 
he related the movement of the American com- 
mander to defeat Lord Cornwallis in Virginia. 
Then he continued : 

“ Sir Henry did not discover the trick until 
four days ago, and at once recognized that it 
was too late to forward reinforcements to that 
distant point. He determined, therefore, to 
make an expedition against some northern port 
still in the possession of the rebels. This expe- 
dition he felt sure would effect one of two 
purposes: it might induce Washington to send 
back the whole or a part of his forces in order to 
protect the place attacked, and so indirectly help 
Cornwallis ; or, failing in that, it would serve 
as a retaliation for the blow the rebels were to 
strike in the south. 

“ There was at first some uncertainty as to the 


A STARTLING CONVERSATION. 25 

place to be selected. The rebel force still about 
New York was too great to allow General Clin- 
ton to spare a body of men large enough to 
make an attack upon a distant or upon a strongly 
fortified place ; and yet it was necessary that the 
point chosen should be of sufficient importance to 
turn the rebel chief from his own project if pos- 
sible ; or, if not, to make its capture a serious loss 
to the enemy. At length the general hit upon 
New London. 

“ It has, as you know, always been a hotbed 
of rebellion, as well as the rendezvous for many 
of the privateers that have done such havoc to 
his majesty’s shipping. Then its situation is 
such as to favor the undertaking — our vessels 
can swoop down upon it, lay it waste, and make 
a successful retreat, almost before the rebels 
know what has happened. But best of all our 
commander-in-chief knew he could lay his hand 
on just the man for the work — General Bene- 
dict Arnold. Born in this locality, familiar 
with every inch of the ground, all the people old 
neighbors of his, who so competent to lead the 
invasion as he 2 


26 


A BRAVE DEFENSE. 


“ Well, having settled on the place and the man, 
he called in Arnold and suggested the raid to him. 
His fertile brain soon devised a plan of action 
which substantially is this: This very after- 
noon a fleet of thirty-two transports and vessels 
of war, under the command of Captain Beazley 
in the Amphion, will sail from New York. To- 
morrow afternoon they expect to anchor under 
the Long Island shore, directly opposite New 
London, and only thirty miles away. There 
the ships will remain until after nightfall, then, 
under the southwest breeze so prevalent at this 
season of the year, they will cross the sound, 
sweep suddenly into the harbor, and surprise 
the town. Eight hundred men will be landed 
on each side of the Thames, the forts will 
be carried by storm, the city will be sacked 
and burned, and a retreat ordered before an 
alarm can be sent out to the surrounding 
villages. “ What do you think of the scheme, 
Henry ? ” 

“It is worthy of the great mind that sug- 
gested it,” cried Master Beckwith exultingly. 
“ Two days more then, and the rebel nest will 


A STARTLING CONVERSATION. 27 

be wiped off the earth ! Ah ! it is a great plan, 
a great plan ; and it is sure to succeed.” 

“ Unless the rebels have obtained tidings of 
the movement,” his companion admitted ; “ and 
I was sure they had not until to-day. But two 
youngsters on their way to Fort Trumbull 
crossed the Connecticut Biver with me this morn- 
ing. Seeing the lads armed and on their way 
to the fort, I suspected reinforcements were 
being called in, and tried to pump that fact out 
of the young rascals, but failed. What I want 
of you, therefore, is to visit the town to-morrow, 
and learn, if you can, what is being done at the 
fortifications.” 

“ Why not go yourself ? ” retorted the other 
shortly. 

“ Because the rebels must not even suspect I 
am in the community until Arnold lands,” was 
the quick reply. “ I am to meet the general at 
the shore and accompany him through the city, 
that I may point out the property which belongs 
to the loyal subjects of the king. That will not 
be destroyed. I came on ahead, too, to ascertain 
the exact condition of the forts, and report it to 


A BRAVE DEFENES. 


General Arnold before the attack begins ; and 
the general is to dine at my house after the cap- 
ture is made. I will send a note by you to my 
wife, so that she may make every preparation 
for the dinner. You also, Master Beckwith, 
shall be my guest, and your part in this work 
reported directly to the commander. Be sure 
you will lose nothing by your faithfulness to 
his majesty’s cause at this time.” 

After a somewhat fuller explanation of the 
services expected of him. Master Beckwith con- 
sented to act for his friend. Then the two men 
left the woods, and returned to the dwelling of 
the former, no great distance away. 

The lads watched them until they had entered 
the farmhouse, then they hastened back to the 
highway, and, in great excitement, walked 
rapidly oif in the direction of Fort Trumbull to 
tell its commander of the startling conversation 
they had overheard. 


AT FORT TRUMBULL. 


29 


CHAPTER III 

AT FORT TRUMBULL. 

On the New London side of the Thames, at 
this time, there were two fortifications, though 
only one — Fort Trumbull — is usually alluded 
to by historians. The unmentioned one was on 
Town Hill, a half mile back from the river, and 
known as Fort Nonsense. One sketch of the 
city and its surroundings, however, calls it Fort 
Folly, and possibly the two names were given 
for the same reason, because it was of no prac- 
tical use as a defense. It was really a trifiing 
affair, scarcely more than a battery of six small 
guns, which were so planted as to sweep up or 
down the main road running from the sound to 
the town. No regular force was kept there, the 
cannon being manned by a detachment from 
Fort Trumbull as occasion required. 

Fort Trumbull, situated upon a point or neck 


30 


A BRAVE DEFENSE. 


of land making out into tke river directly below 
and east of Fort Nonsense, was, on the other 
hand, a more pretentious structure. Still even 
this was erected as a harbor defense rather than 
a shore or city protection. There were strong 
breastworks on three sides — ^north, east, and 
south — while the fourth, or land end, was left 
without barricade of any kind — a fatal mistake 
as was proved on the day of battle. The arm- 
ament consisted of twelve 18-pounders, and 
three 6-pounders, fifteen guns in all, nearly one 
cannon to each man, if officers are excluded, for 
the entire force of the garrison numbered but 
twenty-three men. 

It was not far from three o’clock, and the 
rays of the afternoon sun were gleaming down 
the eastern slope of Town Hill, dancing across 
the blue waters of the river, streaming up and 
over Groton Heights on the opposite shore, 
when Halsey Sanford and Daniel Williams, 
heated by their rapid walking, approached Fort 
Nonsense. With their eyes fastened on Fort 
Trumbull, now not over a half mile away, where 
they should find Captain Shapley to whom they 


AT FORT TRUMBULL. 


81 


were so eager to tell the surprising news they 
had learned, they did not notice that the 
smaller fortification was occupied until they were 
hailed : 

“ Hello, there, comrades ! Anybody watching 
your gait would think the redcoats were close 
on your heels, and you were trying to make the 
fort before they overhauled you. But lor ! it 
ain’t so. There isn’t a Britisher in a hundred 
miles of here. So hold up a bit, and as soon as 
I put the finishing touches on this roarer. I’ll go 
along down to the barracks with you. You are 
the new fellows from Saybrook, ain’t you ? ” 

The two boys turned quickly and looked at 
the questioner. He was a remarkably tall, and 
a remarkably slim lad, possibly a year older 
than themselves, who, stripped down to his 
trousers and shirt, was busily engaged in clean- 
ing the guns of the tiny fort. 

Noticing that he had attracted their attention 
he continued : 

“ Have to keep these crackers in trim, you 
know, even if there is no chance to use them. 
My ! wouldn’t I like to have every one of them 


32 


A BRAVE DEFENSE. 


loaded, though, and a squad of the enemy not 
over sixty yards away. I’d tumble the fellows 
over like tenpins.” 

“ That chance may come sooner than you 
expect,” Halsey responded significantly. 

“ Sho now ! you are a fooling,” the young 
gunner retorted ; then noticing the heated and 
excited appearance of the newcomers, he added 
more seriously : “ Perhaps you are not. Is 
there anything new from headquarters ? Tell 
me, what you are driving at ? ” 

‘‘ Not until we have reported to Captain 
Shapley,” Daniel replied quickly, fearing that 
his companion might repeat the important con- 
versation they had overheard — a fear, however, 
that was groundless. “Where shall we find 
him?” 

“ Down at the fort, I reckon,” the tall youth 
answered ; “ but you may as well tell me what 
you have in mind. It will save the captain a 
lot of trouble. He would never act on any 
message, however important, without first con- 
sulting me. Any soldier down there,” nodding 
his head towards the lower fortification, “ will 


AT FORT TRUMBULL. 


33 


tell you that Levi Dart is Captain Shapley’s 
right hand man. Why, bless you, he cannot 
run the fort without me.” 

This speech was delivered with a gravity and 
earnestness which might have given it some 
weight but for the twinkling eyes of the 
speaker. And evidently he did not expect his 
hearers to believe him, for with a flourish he 
put the finishing touches on the last cannon, 
and, picking up his coat which lay near at hand, 
said : 

“ Come on ! You’ll soon see how much the 
whole garrison depends on me,” and he led the 
way down the hill. 

Long before they reached their destination, 
however, he had learned the names of his new 
friends, their ages, and what military experi- 
ence they had had in connection with the local 
militia ; while, in turn, he had told them that 
he was from the town of Bolton, was a little 
over seventeen, and had been in the regular 
service about one month. 

As the three lads approached the entrance to 
the fortification an ofiicer came out, whom 
3 


34 


A BRAVE DEFENSE. 


young Dart immediately saluted, saying, how- 
ever, quite familiarly : 

“ Here 1 am, Captain, and you can now wipe 
out those guns without soiling your pocket 
handkerchief. My though ! weren’t they rusty 
and dirty ? ” and he held up his grimmed hands 
in witness of that fact. 

“ I have no doubt, Levi, but that you were 
faithful in this as in every other task I assign 
you,” the commander replied approvingly. 
“ But who are the young friends with you — our 
new recruits from Say brook, perhaps ? ” 

“Yes, sir,” the newcomers answered simulta- 
neously, and repeating the salute which they had 
not failed to give in company with private Dart 
a moment before ; then they told their names, 
and with a little conscious pride announced 
that they were there to report for duty. 

“ And their first job is to deliver some mes- 
sage to you. Captain. I tried to pump it out of 
them, but found their mouths shut closer than 
an oyster’s,” Levi liere broke in, and giving at 
the same time a comical grimace. “ I guess they 
have the right stuff in them, sir, so I’ll leave 


AT FORT TRUMBULL. 


35 


them with you,” and with a parting salute he 
went off to his own quarters. 

“ A droll fellow that, but every inch a man,” 
Captain Shapley commented as the boy disap- 
peared ; then he asked : “ Is your message of 

a private nature, my lads ? ” 

We prefer to tell it to you alone, sir, and 
allow you to be the judge of that,” Halsey re- 
sponded gravely. 

“ Very well, we will then go back to my 
room,” the officer answered kindly. I was on 
my way up to the city, but that is a matter that 
can wait awhile,” and he led them within the 
breastworks, and across the enclosed space to 
a small chamber in the north end of the rude 
barracks. 

Closing the door when they had entered, he 
pointed towards two stools, saying : 

Sit down there, lads, while you talk ; it will 
rest you after your long tramp.” 

They obeyed, and then at a nod from Daniel, 
Halsey gave the details of their journey from 
the hour they crossed the Connecticut Kiver 
with the Tory until they had seen him enter 


36 


A BRAVE DEFENSE. 


Henry Beckwith’s house. Save a low exclama- 
tion of surprise occasionally the commander did 
not interrupt the narrator throughout the start- 
ling tale. But when it was finished he remarked 
thoughtfully : 

“ It hardly seems credible that such an attack 
is to be made here, and so soon. Still such a 
move is like Clinton, and Benedict Arnold and 
James Tilley, both of whom I know well, are fit 
tools for the work. I must think this over, my 
good lads, and will send for you again. Mean- 
time say nothing to any one about your dis- 
covery,” then he called an orderly, who con- 
ducted the boys to the quarters in the barracks 
which had been set apart for them. 

They had laid aside their accouterments, re- 
freshed themselves with a bath, and eaten their 
first rations as regular soldiers, before Captain 
Shapley sent for them. In fact it was already 
dark, and they had given up all thought of his 
wanting to see them again that night, when the 
summons came. They promptly followed the 
sergeant who brought the message, however, 
and in three minutes were in the quarters of 


AT FORT TRUMBULL. 


37 

their commander, where to their surprise they 
also found Levi Dart, whose smiling face and 
matter-of-fact air indicated he was in the cap- 
tain’s confidence. The subaltern who had es- 
corted them immediately withdrew, closing the 
door behind him, and then Captain Shapley 
asked : 

“ Boys, are you too tired for another long 
tramp ? ” 

“No, sir,” they responded promptly and 
eagerly ; “ we are already quite rested, and are 
at your service.” 

The officer smiled. “ I thought I had not 
mistaken your willingness of spirit, my lads,” 
he said, “ but I was not so sure of your strength. 
Twenty miles, or thereabouts, is a good stiff 
walk for youngsters, though they be sturdy and 
strong like yourselves. Be sure, therefore, I 
should not call on you to-night for further serv- 
ice, if it did not seem to me to be wisest and 
best. A word of explanation will make my 
meaning clear to you. 

“ In thinking over the surprising information 
you have given me, I have decided to say noth- 


38 


A BRAVE DEFENSE, 


ing to any one until 1 have Tilley in my hands. 
There is a general order out for his arrest, the 
moment he appears in this vicinity, and that 
will justify my plan, which is to go out to Master 
Henry Beckwith’s to-night and capture him.” 

He paused a moment to see what effect these 
words might have upon his youthful hearers, and 
evidently was not surprised and what followed. 

The eyes of the listening lads sparkled with 
sudden excitement, and their cheeks flushed with 
pride and pleasure at the honor done them, while 
they exclaimed almost breathlessly : 

“ And we are to go with you, sir ? ” 

“I propose to take no one but you and 
Dart,” he answered to their delight; ‘'and I 
have a reason for this : I want this whole move- 
ment to be so secret that, if we are successful, 
not a soul but ourselves shall know of it until 
our prisoner is safe within these walls ; and, if 
we are not successful, that no one but we four 
shall ever be cognizant of the attempt. In fact, 
if our effort fails, it is to be understood between 
us that the whole affair is to be hidden in our 
hearts forever. 


AT FORT TRUMBULL. 


39 


“ Here are your directions : Levi has an order 
from me, directing the officer of the guard to 
allow you three lads to visit the city until mid- 
night. You are to leave the fort, and actually 
go to the city as if that was your sole object for 
being absent. In an hour, however, you are to 
be at Fort Nonsense, where you are to await 
my coming. All further movements will of 
course be under my direct command. You may 
now go.” 

“ Shall we take our guns, sir ? ” Daniel ven- 
tured to inquire as he and his comrades turned 
to leave the room. To his own mind that was 
the proper thing to do, and he was not sure but 
that he was open to the charge of silliness in 
asking such a question. 

“No,” Captain Shapley replied laughingly, 
“ that would give my whole plan away ; but 
you need not fear, you shall be suitably armed 
when I join you.” 

"Without another word the three lads took 
their departure, and in five minutes had left the 
fort on the dangerous task which had been as- 
signed them. 


40 


A BRAVE DEFENSE. 


CHAPTER IV. 

AN UNSUCCESSFUL SEARCH. 

Through the gathering darkness the young 
soldiers hastened into the city, where they so- 
journed long enough to be seen by some of 
their comrades who were also on a leave of ab- 
sence, and who would be sure to report their 
whereabouts at the fort. Then they strolled up 
Main Street until near the head of Mill Cove ; 
thence they took the highway running along 
the summit of Town Hill, and within the hour 
Captain Shapley had specified were at Fort 
Nonsense. 

That officer had not yet arrived, and, enter- 
ing the tiny breastworks, the lads sat down 
upon adjacent gun carriages to await his coming. 
As they waited they discussed in low tones the 
probability of an attack from the British. Hal- 
sey and Daniel had many misgivings about the 


AN UNSUCCESSFUL SEARCH. 41 

outcome of tlie conflict, should it take place ; 
while young Dart was sanguine that the enemy 
would be overwhelmingly defeated. 

“ I tell you, boys,” he said in an impressive 
whisper, “ as soon as we get hold of that old 
Tory the captain will find a way to worm out 
of him just how and where those redcoats 
intend to land. Then he’ll report to Colonel 
Ledyard, who will plant our cannon where we 
can mow the rascals down like rowen ! ” 

“ Listen ! I hear footsteps,” he continued, 
before his companions could make any reply, 
and as he spoke their commander entered the 
enclosure. 

“ I am glad to find you so punctual, lads,” 
was his greeting. ‘‘Wait where you area 
moment and I will bring each of you a mus- 
ket. We have some stored away in the maga- 
zine under the north wall.” 

He disappeared in the darkness, but an in- 
stant later they heard the noise of a lock turn- 
ing and a door creaking. Then after a minute 
of silence the sounds were repeated. 

“ He’s got them ! ” Levi exclaimed, leaping to 


42 


A BRAVE DEFENSE. 


his feet. His comrades followed his example, 
and the three lads in silence received the 
weapons from their leader. Then he said : 

“ I do not anticipa-te much trouble from Tilley 
when we have once brought him to bay ; but 
it is always well to be prepared. I have my 
sword and pistols, and with your guns we ought 
to be more than a match for him and Beckwith. 
Dart, you may step to my side, while Halsey and 
Daniel fall in behind us. Ready ! March ! ” 
and with the regular tread of the soldier they 
started for Waterford Neck. 

For an hour they went steadily on, and then 
the officer, who seemed perfectly familiar with 
his surroundings notwithstanding the darkness, 
suddenly stopped. 

“We are nearly to the house,” he remarked 
cautiously, “ and had better reconnoiter a little. 
Remain here until I return,” then he slipped 
quietly away. 

He was gone perhaps ten minutes, but on 
returning seemed quite elated. 

“Everything appears to be in our favor,” he 
said. “ There is a light in the living-room, and 


AN UNSUCCESSFUL SEARCH. 43 

I went near enough to see that two or three 
persons are around the table. My plan, there- 
fore, is this : Levi is to go to the front of the 
hou^e and guard that quarter. Halsey is to 
look out for the west end, and Daniel the east. 
I will wait a few minutes for you to get into 
your places, then I shall go to the rear door and 
pass myself off for some neighbor until I gain 
an entrance. Pay no attention to what I may 
say or do unless I call ; then you all are to rush 
to my aid.” 

Now that the moment for action had come, 
the lads themselves were greatly surprised at 
their own calmness. Without a tremor of fear 
or excitement, they threw their muskets into a 
position for instant use, and hastened away to 
the points assigned them. Then Captain 
Shapley, making no attempt to suppress the 
sound of his steps, walked up to the back door 
and knocked. 

His reception was very different from his 
anticipation. He had expected that his coming 
would produce a momentary alarm, followed 
perhaps by a confused hurrying to and fro, with 


44 


A BRAVE DEFENSE. 


a final demand as to wlio was there. Instead 
there was a rapid stride across the kitchen, then 
the door was thrown wide open, while a hearty 
voice said : 

“ Oh ! it’s you, Captain Shapley ? Come right 
in.” 

Somewhat puzzled by this welcome, and won- 
dering what it could mean, the officer answered : 

“ In a moment, sir ; ” then he turned as though 
to speak to some one behind him. 

“ Lieutenant Chapman,”* he called out, ‘‘ send 
six more men to the other side of the house, and 
keep a sharp eye out here until I return.” 

Having delivered this order apparently to his 
subaltern he stepped into the house and glanced 
quickly about him. There were but four 
persons in the room : Master Beckwith, a few 
feet away, and smiling complacently ; Mistress 
Beckwith, at the sink washing up the dishes 
from a late supper ; and two children, a girl and 
boy of eight and ten years respectively, at the 
table from which the food had not yet been 

* Lieutenant Richard Chapman was the second officer in 
command at Fort Trumbull. 


AN UNSUCCESSFUL SEARCH. 45 

removed. There was no guest, and no evidence 
that there had been one that evening. 

“ I am sorry to trouble you, neighbor,” the 
captain said somewhat gruffly, ‘‘ but I have re- 
ceived positive information that you are harbor- 
ing the Tory, James Tilley. It will be wise for 
you to disclose his hiding-place at once.” 

The children, at this stern demand, jumped 
from their chairs, and with screams of terror 
ran over to their mother. She, pale but com- 
posed, gathered the little ones into her arms, 
and gazed at the officer with a look on her face 
he did not understand. Master Beckwith, how- 
ever, was unmoved, and the smile never left his 
lips as he promptly replied : 

“ Then you have been wrongly informed, 
Captain Shapley, Master Tilley is not here.” 

His coolness and positiveness irritated the 
officer. 

“ Do you mean to say he has not been here ? ” 
he asked hotly. 

“I have not seen him to-day; in fact for 
weeks. I was not even aware that he was in 
this locality,” was the calm response. 


46 


A BRAVE DEFENSE. 


“ Did he not come here this forenoon? Did 
not you accompany him out to an adjacent 
glen ? And did he not there inform you of an 
attack the British are about to make upon New 
London ? ” thundered the now exasperated cap- 
tain, fingering nervously the hilt of his sword. 

“ He certainly did not,” the host answered, 
his countenance still unruffled, his smile as com- 
placent as ever. “ This is all news to me, sir.” 

For a full minute the offlcer stared at the 
man, busily thinking. Not until that instant 
had he doubted the report of the two Say brook 
lads ; now he could not help questioning their 
veracity. It seemed impossible from what he 
knew of Henry Beckwith that he could be so 
cool, so frank, and so emphatic in his statements, 
unless he was telling the truth. Had the lads 
mistaken the place and the man ? He would 
see. 

Stepping to the door he, still keeping up the 
farce of a large force without, called out : 

“ Lieutenant Chapman, send in Halsey San- 
ford.” 

A moment later the boy appeared. 


AN UNSUCCESSFUL SEARCH. 47 

Is this the man you saw with the Tory ? ” 
he sternly demanded. 

“Yes, sir,” Halsey replied without hesitation. 

“ Return to your post, and send in Daniel 
Williams,” was the command. 

The other lad quickly presented himself, and 
was asked the same question, and as promptly 
returned the same answer. 

“ What have you to say to these two wit- 
nesses, Henry Beckwith ? ” the captain now 
asked in triumph. 

“Simply that they are both mistaken,” the 
farmer returned blandly. 

“ Are you willing I should search the house ? ” 
the chagrined officer inquired. 

“ Certainly, and I will give you all the assist- 
ance in my power. Wait a moment until I get 
a candle,” Master Beckwith responded in perfect 
good humor, and hastening to secure his light- 

Young Williams was left on guard in the 
kitchen while the officer and his host searched 
the house from cellar to attic. There was, how- 
ever, no trace of the Tory. 

“ Get a lantern and let us go to your barn,” 


48 


A BRAVE DEFENSE. 


Captain Shapley now ordered, wondering 
whether to be angry with the lads, or with the 
farmer, or with himself, for having been drawn 
into what seemed more and more to be a fool’s 
errand. 

Knowing it would now be impossible to con- 
ceal the smallness of his attending force, the 
officer called the three lads to him, and, direct- 
ing Levi to 'remain in guard of the residence, 
took Halsey and Daniel with him in the search 
of the outer buildings. This was prolonged 
and thorough, but neither the Tory, nor his 
horse, nor anything that would establish his 
presence, was found. 

“ Are you satisfied, Captain Shapley ? ” Henry 
Beckwith asked when the hunt was over. 

“That James Tilley is not here, yes,” the 
captain admitted ; “ but that he has not been 
here, no.” 

“I confess,” he went on a moment later, 
speaking slowly as though in deep thought, 
“ that between your emphatic denials and the 
equally positive assertions of the two lads I am 
puzzled, A half hour ago I was ready to doubt 


AN UNSUCCESSFUL SEARCH. 


49 


their veracity. But the more I think the matter 
over the more convinced am I that the truth is 
on their side. The story they tell has no flaw 
in it ; it is hardly one they could have manu- 
factured themselves ; and they would scarcely 
have been willing to tramp back here with me 
to-night for the sake of being caught in a lie. 
No, Master Beckwith, you will pardon me, but 
I am inclined to believe that you are a liar.” 

The last sentence was spoken contemptuously, 
but the temper of the accused man remained as 
sweet and affable as ever. 

“ I am very sorry you refuse to accept my 
word. Captain Shapley,” he said mildly. ‘‘ Like 
yourself I do not doubt the veracity of these 
brave lads. It is simply a case of mistaken 
identity on their part. They have taken me for 
some one else.” 

He spoke with such apparent sincerity that 
again the officer was forced to ask himself 
whether this might not be the real explanation of 
his failure to find the Tory. The lads had unin- 
tentionally misunderstood the name of the man 
who was befriending James Tilley. 

4 


50 


A BRAVE DEFENSE. 


“ For the sake of your family I shall give you 
the benefit of the doubt, and not take you back 
to the fort with us,” he finally said. 

Then calling young Dart from the house, he 
he ordered his little company to fall into line, 
and began the march back to the fortification. 

All the way, however, Daniel and Halsey 
were in a very unpleasant frame of mind. 
True, the commander had declared his faith in 
their word ; but it was nearly as bad to have 
him think they had blundered. The elation 
with which they had set forth to capture the 
Tory had changed to dejection, and they felt 
that they should never again have the confidence 
to report anything to their chief, however im- 
portant it might seem to be. 

Their companions were as silent as themselves, 
evidently busy with their own thoughts, so not, 
a word was spoken until Fort Nonsense was 
reached. Leaving their muskets there, they, at 
the captain’s suggestion, went with him directly 
to the lower fortress. 

“ The sentry will not know but that we have 
come down from the city together,” he explained. 


AN UNSUCCESSFUL SEARCH. 5I 

But when they reached the barracks Levi 
Dart, to the astonishment of them all, said in 
low tones : 

“ Let my comrades and myself accompany you 
to your room, Captain Shapley, I have a special 
message for you ? ” 

“ Certainly,” answered the mystified officer. 

In the secrecy of that little chamber the lad 
produced a mere scrap of paper, saying : 

“ While you and the lads were at the barn. 
Captain, Mistress Beckwith made me promise to 
deliver this to you when we were once back 
here at the fort. She would not give it to me 
until 1 had pledged my word not to deliver it 
sooner. I do not know what the message is.” 

The officer took the slip and read it aloud. 
There were but four words, written in a miser- 
able scrawl : 

“ llie hoys are rightP 


62 


A BRAVE DEFENSE. 


CHAPTER V. 

ACROSS THE RIVER. 

The first act of Captain Shapley after reading 
the brief lines was characteristic of him. He 
shook hands with the two lads in turn saying : 

“ I am sorry even to have thought that you 
blundered. I know Mary Beckwith. She is 
the daughter of as true a patriot as we have in 
the colonies. The Toryism of her husband is 
the grief of her life ; and her message though 
unsigned is to be depended upon. In some un- 
accountable way Tilley must have suspected our 
coming, and taken his departure before we 
arrived.” 

“ Then you don’t think he was hiding some- 
where about the Beckwith farm ? ” Levi 
asked incredulously, and hoping they were to be 
ordered back there for another search. 

“No,” the officer answered with a decided 


ACROSS THE RIVER. 


53 


shake of his head ; “ had he been, Master Beck- 
with would not have been so positive and so 
audacious in his declarations. It was his con- 
sciousness that the Tory could not be found that 
made him so good-natured and so ready to help 
us to-night. Then, too, if Tilley had been in 
hiding there. Mistress Beckwith would have 
given you some clue to Ms place of concealment 
instead of this note.” 

“ Why did she wish Levi to wait until he 
reached here before giving you the message, 
sir ? ” Halsey asked, curiously. 

‘‘ Simply to save her husband,” replied the 
captain. “ Naturally she did not want him 
marched off to the fort, and with a woman’s 
intuition reasoned that if I were back here be- 
fore I knew the contents of her note, I would 
not return for him, as I shall not. There is 
nothing to be gained by such a step, as Master 
Beckwith may have already thought it wise to 
leave the neighborhood before this time ; and 
certainly he will put Tilley, wherever he may 
be, on the guard against us. No, I have a better 
plan.” 


64 


A BRAVE DEFENSE. 


He was silent a moment as though thinking 
over his next movement, then he continued : 

Before we set out upon our trip I directed, 
as you know, that if we did not capture the Tory, 
even our attempt to do so was to be kept a se- 
cret between us. I had a reason forgiving that 
order. I felt that I wanted some confirmation 
of the strange tidings these lads brought — such 
a confirmation as the arrest of Tilley would 
have furnished — before I made my report to 
Colonel Ledyard. We did not get the confirma- 
tion I sought, but we got another in this brief 
line which is nearly as good. I shall, therefore, 
put the whole matter into the hands of my 
superior officer to-morrow morning, leaving him 
to take such action concerning it as he may deem 
best. I wish all of you to accompany me across 
the river, so report to me here directly after 
rations ; ” then he dismissed them. 

Anxious as the three friends were to talk 
over the events of the night, they did not allow 
themselves to do so. A word uttered on the 
parade, or spoken in their quarters, might reach 
ears for whom it was not intended ; in silence, 


ACROSS THE RIVER. 


55 


therefore, they sought their rude bunks, and 
were soon sleeping heavily. 

At seven o’clock the following morning, how- 
ever, they presented themselves at the room of 
their commander ready for further service. He 
greeted them pleasantly, and at once led the 
way to a stout whale-boat drawn up on the 
shore just outside the breastworks. Here at his 
request Halsey and Daniel manned the oars, 
while Levi took charge of the tiller, and then 
without delay they started across the river. 

The young oarsmen were expert at their 
business, and had frequently pulled together, so 
the staunch yawl was sent over the calm waters 
with a strong, steady, and yet rapid stroke. In 
less than fifteen minutes they were at the other 
shore, where all quickly disembarked. When 
the boat was properly secured Captain Shapley 
gave a single command : 

‘‘ Go leisurely up to the fort, lads, and, re- 
porting yourselves there, await my coming.” 

Having delivered this order he hurried away 
up the north street of the little village. 

Left to themselves the young soldiers began 


56 


A BRAVE DEFENSE. 


the ascent of the steep hill, on whose summit 
Fort Griswold had been erected. Through the 
clear atmosphere the huge structure loomed 
up large and formidable, and Daniel Williams 
remarked as he gazed admiringly at it : 

“ That is not much like Fort Trumbull, is 
it?” 

“ 1 should say not,” retorted Levi scornfully. 
“ Fort Trumbull is nothing but a water battery, 
while this is a real fort.” 

“ Look at it ! ” he exclaimed a moment later, 
when they had reached an excellent point for 
observation. ‘‘ See those great walls of stone 
rising up there for more than ten feet, with the 
bastions at their opposite angles ! Above the 
stonework are those huge pickets projecting 
over it at least twelve feet. Then comes the 
parapet with its embrasures ; there is also a 
huge ditch running clear around the fortifica- 
tion. Now who is going to scale all that in the 
face of a galling fire ? ” 

“ I suppose you have been inside ? ” queried 
Halsey almost enviously. 

“ A half dozen times,” young Dart admitted 


ACROSS THE RIVER. 


57 


proudly. ‘‘I was going to tell you about it. 
Inside of the parapet there is a platform for the 
cannon, and also steps to mount upon when you 
shoot over the breastwork with small arms. 
The southwest bastion, as you must have no- 
ticed, has the flag-staff ; while the opposite one 
has the gateway. 

In front of the gate there is a triangular 
breastwork to protect it from attack ; and one 
hundred and twenty yards to its right is a small 
redoubt built for the same purpose. On the 
other side, and between the fort and the river, 
is another battery with a covered passage to 
reach it. The men stationed down there can 
fight until surrounded and then slip back into 
the fortification as slick as grease.” 

“ How many guns are there ? ” Daniel in- 
quired, when he had finished his survey of the 
interesting features his comrade had pointed out. 

“ There is one 6-pounder in the redan cover- 
ing the gateway,” his friend answered ; “ one 
3-pounder in the little redoubt at the right of 
the entrance ; and in the fort proper one 18- 
pounder, seventeen 12-pounders, two 9-pounders, 


58 


A BRAVE DEFENSE. 


and six 4-pounders, thirty-three in all. Oh ! I 
tell you there are enough to make glorious music 
when they all get to roaring.” 

‘‘ And how many men are there ? ” asked 
young Sanford. 

“ One hundred and twenty on the roll,” was 
the reply. “ But a good many are now aw'ay 
for dilferent reasons. You see there has been 
no fighting this way for a long time, and they 
have not been needed. I presume though when 
the Colonel hears your story he will call all 
hands in. There’ll be a grand fight here, com- 
rades, if the redcoats do come. I’m fairly itch- 
ing to have charge of one of those big guns,” 
and he threw back his head and sniffed the air 
as though he scented the battle from afar. 

“ I don’t know about it’s being so grand a 
thing,” young Williams responded dubiously, 
“ especially if the enemy should carry the breast- 
works. It would to my mind be a good deal 
like sheep in a slaughter-pen — only one and the 
same chance, for all — death.” 

“ Don’t croak, comrade,” Levi answered with 
a light laugh. “ There is to my mind no pos- 


ACROSS THE RIVER. 


59 


sibility of any force of men climbing over these 
walls ; but here we are at the gate ! I’ll see if 
the sentry will let us in.” 

He walked up to the guard, saluted, and ex- 
plained who he and his companions were. The 
discipline of the fort was lax enough for them 
to be passed in at once. On the parade within 
the great breastworks they fell in with three 
other lads, whom young Dart speedily hailed, 
and introduced to his companions as Thomas 
Mallison, Thomas Avery, and William Latham. 
They were bright, manly fellows of about eight- 
een, sixteen, and fourteen years, respectively. 

“ William Latham is the son of the captain 
of the fort, and Thomas Avery the son of the 
first lieutenant,” the introducer explained. 

“ While I am plain Torn Mallison with no 
family and no pedigree,” the oldest lad exclaimed 
tragically. 

“ But he’s the best fellow in the crowd,” young 
Latham returned warmly ; “ and my father says 
one of the very best soldiers in the fort.” 

“ And he’s right,” young Avery remarked 
quietly. 


A BRAVE DEFENSE. 


• 60 

“You see how they unite to ruin a poor 
orphan with their flattery. Save me from my 
friends,” cried Mallison, with an air of helpless- 
ness which his sturdy frame and well-knit body 
belied. He was a giant in stature and strength 
notwithstanding his years. Even Levi’s tall 
form seemed diminutive beside him. 

The six lads were soon on the best of terms, 
and sauntered about the fortification looking at 
its guns, admiring its solidity, and commenting 
upon the possibilities of an attack some time by 
the enemy, and its probable result. But the 
newcomers were careful not to disclose the 
secret hidden away in their breasts. 

An hour or more passed quickly and pleas- 
antly in this way, and then Captain Shapley en- 
tered the fort accompanied by two other men, 
whom young Mallison quickly declared to be 
Colonel Ledyard and Captain Latham. They 
crossed the parade to the colonel’s quarters, ap- 
parently without noticing the youths. But a 
moment later an orderly came and officially 
summoned the three Fort Trumbull soldiers to 
an interview with the commanding officers. 


ACROSS THE RIVER. 


61 


It was a brief one, however. In turn Halsey 
and Daniel were called upon to relate their 
experience with the Tory, while Levi was ques- 
tioned about the note Mistress Beckwith had 
given him. 

Then Colonel Ledyard spoke out frankly and 
decisively : 

“ This testimony establishes two facts : the 
presence of the Tory in Waterford Neck ; and 
his relating of this surprising story about the 
intentions of the British. But before I act upon 
it I must have further confirmation of its truth. 
The sudden disappearance of Tilley and the 
good-natured and hearty willingness of Beck- 
with to help find him, looks a little to me as 
though the whole incident may have been ar- 
ranged for the occasion. I suspect the rascally 
Tory discovered that the lads were in the ravine, 
and purposely told his story to deceive them. 
We will of course be on the alert, and have 
messengers ready to call in our absent men the 
moment we are sure of the enemy’s approach. 
Meantime we will have it understood that no 
mention is to be made of the tale these good 


62 


A BRAVE DEFENSE. 


lads have overheard, and so promptly and rightly 
reported to their commander,” and with a stately 
bow he dismissed them all. 

In a state of deep dejection the two Saybrook 
boys followed Captain Shapley out of the fort, 
and down the hill to their boat. Colonel Led- 
yard had suggested an explanation of Master 
Tilley’s startling narrative and subsequent 
disappearance which was certainty plausible, 
though it had not once occurred to them. They 
glanced furtively at their commander, hoping to 
learn from some expression of his face whether 
he acquiesced in the colonel’s view of the matter ; 
but there was nothing in his calm and sedate 
countenance to give them a single clue as to his 
real opinion. He acted more like a man who 
was conscious that he had done his full duty, 
and was now content to leave all the re- 
sponsibility of action to his chief. His attitude 
was a silent hint to the scrutinizers of the wisest 
course for them to adopt ; and they mentally 
decided to do so. Still in their chagrin at the 
thought that possibly they might have been 
guyed by the Tory, they could not .help wishing 


ACROSS THE RIVER. 


63 


that the British would really come and so estab- 
lish the truth of the tale they had overheard — 
a wish which in less than twenty -four hours was 
destined to be realized. 


64 


A BRAVE DEFENSE. 


CHAPTER VI. 

A NEST OF TORIES. 

For the rest of the day the three lads were 
busy with their regular duties. The drill in 
both musketry and artillery, while having a 
fascination for the two new recruits, was never- 
theless fatiguing to them ; and when the practise 
was over they rubbed their aching arms and 
shoulders vigorously. 

“You will get used to it after a while, com- 
rades,” Levi Dart remarked, as he watched the 
two boys in their operations. “ I was all used 
up every time I drilled at the guns for as much 
as a w^eek ; then I kinder got accustomed to it, 
and I reckon I could now load and fire, and pull 
back, and recharge all day, and not feel it. 
You will not mind it after a few days.” 

“ Unless we die in the training,” Daniel 
Williams suggested grimly. 


A NEST OF TORIES. 


65 


“ Show ! you wouldn’t mind it at all after that 
happened,” Levi retorted with a grimace ; then 
the three friends went oif to the mess room for 
their rations. 

They were sitting in front of their quarters, 
eating their plain but substantial fare with the 
relish which comes from a keen appetite, when 
an orderly came up and called out : 

“ Corporal Josiah Smith, Levi Dart, Halsey 
Sanford, and Daniel Williams are requested to 
report to captain at once for special service.” 

In five minutes the four soldiers, wondering to 
what work they were to be assigned, filed into 
the commander’s room. He turned on his chair, 
and addressed himself solely to the subaltern : 

‘‘Corporal Smith,” he said, “you and your 
comrades are to go up to Fort Nonsense and 
keep guard there ; resist any attempt to meddle 
with the guns ; and follow up any suspicious 
circumstances that may come to your attention. 
Eeturn here when in your judgment it is wise 
to do so. You are dismissed.” 

As they climbed the hill towards their des- 
tination, the corporal blurted out : 

5 


66 


A BRAVE DEFENSE. 


‘‘ Now, I’d like to know what the captain has 
caught on to ? ” 

As none of his companions vouched an opinion 
he went on : 

“ His directions are about as definite as those 
old Captain Halsey gave me when I was out on 
the fishing banks Avith him catching cod. Jim 
Burnett and I had got into the doiy to go and 
set the trawl. It was thick and heavy weather, 
and growing thicker every minute. Says the 
skipper : ‘ Josiah, set the traAvl if you think 
best, and come back to the schooner Avhen you 
get ready.’ He put, you see, the whole re- 
sponsibility on to me ; and that is about what 
Captain Shapley has done to-night. ‘Eesist 
any attempt to meddle with the guns,’ he says, 
but he don’t tell who he expects is going to 
undertake the job. ‘Follow up any suspicious 
circumstances,’ he adds, but he don’t tell a 
fellow what he is to count as suspicious. ‘ Re- 
turn here when in your judgment it is wise,’ is 
about as definite as telling me to come back 
when I get ready. It looks to me just as 
though he puts the whole responsibility on to 


A NEST OF TORIES. 


67 


me, and don’t so much as give me the first clue 
as to what he means ; what do you think, com- 
rades ? ” 

Halsey and Daniel were silent, for they did 
not feel as though they were authorized to tell 
their leader anything about a matter their com- 
mander had not deemed it wise to make known 
to him ; but Levi was ready with a reply in- 
stantly. 

“ It looks to me as though the captain expected 
you to use your own common sense in a matter he 
himself knew but little about,” he commented ; 
‘‘ and possibly he sent me along to help you out. 
Anyway I suggest that we use our eyes and 
ears for all they are worth to-night, and may be 
we’ll discover something which will show us 
what w^e are to do.” 

“ Levi, I always did admire your good opinion 
of yourself,” the subaltern retorted with a little 
chuckle ; “ howsomever, it is your only failing. 
There isn’t a man in the fort I had rather de- 
pend on in an emergency than you ; and to show 
you how much I respect you, I’m going to 
follow your advice.” 


68 


A BRAVE DEFENSE. 


If the corporal had indicated by his remarks 
that he did not know what was expected of him 
in the special duty to which he had been 
assigned, he certainly did not act so when they 
reached the tiny fort. 

“ It isn’t likely the captain meant for all of 
us to keep guard at once,” he remarked, “ so the 
rest of you can lop down under the guns and 
go to sleep. I’ll call Levi in a few hours, and 
when his time is up he can wake Halsey, who 
in due season may hand his job over to Daniel. 
I suspect, however, if anything is going to hap- 
pen here to-night, it will be ’long before we 
strike the small hours of the morning.” 

He was right, for not far from ten o’clock he 
aroused his sleeping companions, saying in a 
low voice : 

‘‘ Keep mum, lads ! Somebody is coming 
this way. It may be some one on their way 
down the neck ; and again it may be some one 
coming here. We’ll soon know.” 

It was soon apparent that the prowler was 
coming into the redoubt, for while he approached 
cautiously he came straight on to the north gate, 



BEFORE HE COULD SPIKE THE GUN, THE CORPORAL AND LEVI SPRANG UPON THE 

INTRUDER.— Page 69. A Brave Defense, 


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A NEST OF TORIES. 


69 


which he promptly entered. Beside the first) 
gun he paused, and even in the darkness the 
listeners could tell that he was fumbling for the 
touch-hole. In a moment he seemed to find the 
object of his search, for a faint ejaculation of 
satisfaction escaped him. His purpose, too, was 
now clearly evident. He had come to spike the 
guns. Before the file, already placed in the 
tiny opening, could be driven home, however 
the corporal and Levi sprang upon the intruder, 
bearing him to the ground. He screamed lustily 
at this unexpected interference with his plans, 
until the subaltern clapped one of his big hands 
over his mouth and shut off the cries. Then 
the fellow was bound and turned on his back, 
while Levi struck a fiint and steel over his face. 

“ Jerry Miller, if I’m alive ! ” Smith exclaimed 
in amazement, as he caught sight of the captive 
in the light of the dim spark thrown off by the 
steel. “ I didn’t suppose the young Tory had 
spunk enough to tackle such a job as this.” 

“ I wouldn’t if father hadn’t made me,” the 
boy blubbered, managing to free his mouth 
from its fleshy covering. 


70 


A BRAVE DEFENSE. 


“Why didn’t he come himself?” asked the 
officer. “ I should think such a dirty job as this 
would have struck his fancy.” * 

For a moment the prisoner was silent ; then 
he inquired : 

“ What are you going to do with me ? I 
ain’t done nothing.” 

“No,” admitted Corporal Smith, “ but your 
intentions were good, so we shall have to take 
you down to the fort and turn you over to 
Captain Shapley.” 

“ What will he do with me ? ” the lad ques- 
tioned in alarm. 

“ Tie you to a cannon, and shoot you off into 
the river,” the subaltern declared in a stern 
voice, “ unless ” 

“ Unless what ? ” interrupted Jerry quickly 
and hopefully. 

“ You tell all you know about this business, 
and any other you may happen to have stored 
away in that cranium of yours,” was the prompt 
reply. 

“Will you let me go, if I tell you every- 
thing ? ” the frightened boy queried, “ I know 


A NEST OF TORIES. 


71 


lots you will be glad to hear of. I heard dad 
and one of his friends talking about it.” 

“We will let you go in the morning, if we 
find you have told us the truth,” the officer prom- 
ised ; and thus reassured the captive told his 
story : 

“ Henry Beckwith came to our house early 
this morning bringing a letter for dad. I was 
in the room when it was handed to him, and 
noticed that when he had read it he seemed 
mighty pleased about something. ‘ Good ! good ! ’ 
he cried several times over. ‘ It is just what 
IVe hoped for many a day.’ Then his eye fell 
on me, and he remarked sternly, ‘Jeremiah, 
leave this room at once.’ I obeyed but I 
stopped outside the door to hear what else he 
might say to his caller. 

“ ‘ So Master Tilley is at your house ? ’ he 
inquired. 

“ ‘ He was, but has gone to consult with 
some of our friends,’ Master Beckwith replied. 
‘ There isn’t time enough for him to see them all 
himself, so he has sent me around with letters for 
a half dozen or more, of whom you are the first,’ 


72 


A BRAVE DEFENSE. 


“ This tickled pa a lot, for he immediately 
went on : 

“ ‘ Quite proper ! Quite proper ! Master 
Beckwith, since I have been so ready to serve 
the king ; but I don’t see how I can do both 
things he asks of me the same night.’ 

‘ The first might be done while you are on 
the way to the second,’ suggested "the visitor, 
as though he knew just what was in the letter. 

“ ‘ Hem ! Perhaps so,’ dad admitted ; ‘ any- 
way I’ll attend to it myself, or have it done ; 
and at ten to-night I’ll meet the others at the 
place named.’ 

“ Then Master Beckwith left, and I went off 
to my play, dying with curiosity to know what 
the conversation meant. But after supper dad 
called me into his ofiice, and told me I was to 
come down here between nine and ten and spike 
the guns, while he sent over to the hut in the 
swamp to consult with some other loyalists 
about an important matter that w^as soon to 
happen.” 

“ What is that important matter ? ” questioned 
the corporal when the lad was done, 


A NEST OF TORIES. 


78 


“ I asked pa, but he wouldn’t tell me,” was 
the reply ; “ he said I’d know soon enough, and 
would be helping it on by coming down here 
and fixing the cannon. But if you go over to 
the cabin right off you might find out.” 

“ That is so,” assented the officer thoughtfully ; 
then he asked : 

‘‘ The swamp you mean is the big one over 
here west of the hill ? ” 

“ Yes.” 

“ Where in it is the hut you tell about ? ” 

“ On the island ; follow up the trout brook 
to the junction of the streams, and take the 
right branch ; then you can’t miss it.” 

“ I know where it is, though it is some years 
since I have tramped through there,” the 
subaltern remarked musingly; then he turned 
to the prisoner with another query : 

“You are certain, Jerry, no one else wiUcome 
down here to-night to meddle with these 
guns ? ” 

“ Sure,” the boy admitted. “ Dad said no one 
would be on guard here, and I could spike the 
cannon in ten minutes, and get safely back 


A BRAVE DEFENSE. 


T4 

home. He’ll think I’m there by this time, and 
won’t send any one else here.” 

It was evident that the lad in his anxiety to 
to be released was making a clean breast of all 
he knew about the plans of the Tories. For a 
moment, therefore, Corporal Smith was silent 
thinking busily. Then he issued his orders : 

“ Daniel, you are to stay here with the pris- 
oner. If he attempts to escape, or you find he 
has deceived us, run your bayonet through him.” 

“ Oh ! Master Smith, I won’t even stir ; I’ll 
keep as quiet as a mouse until you come back ! ” 
the captive cried in terror. “ He won’t need to 
touch me.” 

“Very good,” the officer responded approv- 
ingly, “ and if we find you have told us the 
truth, you shall be set free in the morning.” 
Then he turned to Levi and Halsey, saying : 

“You are to come with me,” and in another 
minute he was leading the way over the hill to 
the great swamp. 

He so directed his course as to strike the 
north end, where a small brook oozed forth, 
and ran sluggishly off towards Mill Cove. 


A NEST OF TORIES. 


75 


“ If it were light, I should take a different 
course than this,” he now explained to his com- 
panions, but as it is 1 don’t dare risk any 
other route. This is longer, but surer, as we 
have only to follow the stream up to the point 
we seek. Come on ! ” and as noiselessly as 
possible he started up the water-course. 

A half hour later they reached the junction 
of the streams just below the island, and were 
about to enter the right branch, when the 
officer’s quick ears detected steps behind them. 
Quickly drawing his comrades in under the 
thick bushes which overhung the bank he waited 
for the newcomers to go by. 

In a moment or two, three men passed with- 
in a few feet of them, one of whom was say- 
ing: 

“We shall be the last in to-night, I reckon ; 
but it isn’t likely that the others will form any 
plans until we join them.” 

They disappeared in the darkness, and the 
corporal, touching his companions, silently waded 
on after them. Soon turning a sharp bend in 
the brook, the trio found themselves opposite the 


76 


A BRAVE DEFENSE. 


place they were seeking. Two rods up from 
the bank, on a bit of high ground, was a log 
cabin, through whose open door the three men 
they were following were now entering ; and in 
the light of the single lantern which sat on a 
rude table in the building they beheld at least 
a dozen men, the most of whom Corporal Smith 
seemed to recognize, for he ejaculated under his 
breath : 

“ It is worse than a rattlesnake’s den ; it is a 
nest of Tories.” 


CAUGHT. 


17 


CHAPTER VIL 

CAUGHT. 

A MOMENT later the door of the hut closed so 
tightly not a gleam of light shone beneath it, 
and only a low murmur of voices from within 
told that it was occupied. 

“Hide yourselves in the bushes, and wait 
until I return,” the officer said to Levi and Hal- 
sey in a whisper, and as they obeyed his com- 
mand he crept cautiously up the slope towards 
the building. 

It was too dark for the concealed lads to see 
his movements, and he made so little noise they 
could not detect his whereabouts ; but they knew 
that his object was to get near enough to the 
cabin to hear what was being said. 

The heavy darkness, all the greater because of 
the surrounding forest, made this a comparatively 


78 


A BRAVE DEFENSE. 


easy and safe thing to do ; and had the corporal 
contented himself with simply crawling up close 
to the rude building, and, with his ear against 
the logs, listened to the conversation, there 
would have been no mishap. But as anxious to 
see as to hear the Tories, he looked around for 
some crevice against which he could place his 
eye. The only one at all suitable for his purpose 
was in the window shutter at the south end of 
the cabin, but unfortunately it was too high up 
for him to reach it from the ground. He was 
about to abandon this part of his project, there- 
fore, when he was unlucky enough to notice 
that a tree of considerable size was growing 
within a few feet of the building, whose first 
branch ran out towards, and in fact brushed 
against the eaves of the hut. 

Leaning his musket against the butt, he 
climbed up the trunk to the limb, and out upon 
it towards the window. As he had expected it 
sagged with his weight until his eye was op- 
posite the crack he sought. He was rewarded 
for his efforts by a clear view of the interior of 
the cabin, and was able to count fourteen men, 


CAUGHT. 


79 

eight of whom he recognized as the bitterest 
and most uncompromising loyalists in all that 
region. 

“ They mean mischief,” he muttered, settling 
himself in as comfortable a position as his perch 
would allow, to hear the animated conversation 
which was already taking place within the 
building. 

The first words he heard were a disappointment 
to him ; for they showed him that during the 
time he had been climbing into the tree the 
most important part of the information he was 
seeking had already been spoken of. He could 
only conjecture what it was from what was now 
being said. 

“Neither fort can stand long before such 
forces,” one of the men declared. 

“ Unless the militia in the surrounding towns 
comes to their help,” James Tilley, who seemed to 
be the presiding officer in the conference, replied ; 
“ and that must be prevented. In fact, that is 
why I have called you together to-night. Of 
course as soon as Ledyard discovers this move- 
ment he is going to despatch messengers to all the 


80 


A BRAVE DEFENSE, 


military commanders for miles around, and what 
we want to do is to intercept them.” 

“ How can we do that ? ” was asked. 

“ By guarding the highways north and west 
from New London, and east and north from 
Groton,” the Tory chief asserted. “ Every 
horseman going in those directions must be 
stopped, and held until the battle is over.” 

‘‘We shall need a larger force than we have 
here,” some one remarked with a little laugh. 

“ Certainly,” Master Tilley admitted. “ You 
who are here to-night are to take charge of this 
work, calling to your help every friend of the 
king. The only thing you need to do now is to 
parcel out the routes among yourselves, so each 
one will be looked out for, and then we must 
go. The night is passing rapidly, and all our 
preparations must be completed before dawn.” 

At this the plotters fell to discussing the dis- 
tribution of the highways which were to be 
guarded — a matter of little concern to the list- 
ening Continental, who was trying to weave to- 
gether the fragment of news he had overheard. 

There’s an attack to be made on both forts 


CAUGHT. 


81 


by large forces, and soon too,” lie thought. “ It 
is expected to be a surprise, and these fellows 
are planning to prevent our calling in reinforce- 
ments, that is plain ; but when is the attack to 
take place ? I wish I knew. I’ll hold on here 
a while longer, and may be I’ll find out.” 

His position on the overhanging limb was 
becoming very uncomfortable, and he now tried 
to change it a little. But as he stirred the 
branch, which had been steadily sinking under 
his weight, suddenly snapped off close to the 
trunk, and down he went with a great crash. 
In the fall his head struck against the side of 
the cabin, and dazed and confused by the blow 
he lay there on the ground for a moment or 
two. 

That delay was fatal to his escape ; for be- 
fore he had recovered himself enough to even 
rise to his feet, the door of the hut was thrown 
open, and a half dozen men, one of whom had 
been sufficiently thoughtful to bring along the 
lantern, gathered about him. 

“ It is Corporal Smith from the fort,” the man 

with the light cried. “ Take the rebel into the 
6 


82 


A BRAVE DEFENSE. 


cabin,” shouted another ; and the next minute 
the discomfited and chagrined ofiicer was 
marched into the building. 

His two comrades, lying in the thick bushes 
only a few rods away, heard the crash of the 
breaking limb, and the dull thud of a striking 
body, but were unable to decide upon the exact 
import of the sounds, until the Tories rushed 
out with their lantern. Then to their consterna- 
tion they saw their leader captured, and taken 
into the hut. 

‘‘ What shall we do ? ” Halsey inquired, as 
the door of the rude dwelling closed again. 

“ Go up there, and see what they are going 
to do with him,” Levi replied coolly, and leading 
the way towards the structure. 

As he passed around the south end of the 
cabin he paused. “ Those fellows didn’t have 
the corporal’s gun,” he whispered to his com- 
panions, “ and so it must be around here some- 
where. Likely as not Josiah stood it up against 
the tree ; yes, here it is, and we’ve got three 
shots without loading, while the Tories don’t 
seem to have a single musket, I guess then we 


CAUGHT. 83 

are more than a match for them if we should 
get into a scrimmage.” 

A few steps more brought the two lads to 
the rear or west side of the building, and crouch- 
ing down there they listened intently to every 
sound within. 

“ How came you here ? ” a voice which Halsey 
recognized as belonging to James Tilley was 
asking. 

“ I walked,” Corporal Smith, who was evi- 
dently himself again, promptly responded. 

“ Are you here alone ? ” the Tory chief next 
asked, and it was evident even to the outside 
listeners that the officer’s replies were irritating 
him. 

“ I should be a fool to come into this swamp 
alone,” the prisoner retorted, and there was scorn 
and derision in his tones. 

“We shall be surrounded and killed,” ex- 
claimed several in alarm, and the noise they 
made sounded as though they were preparing 
to rush out of doors. 

“ Don’t be fools,” Master Tilley cried out 
angrily. “ Can’t you see the rebel is guying us ? 


84 


A BRAVE DEFENSE. 


If lie had men with him, do you suppose they 
would have permitted us to capture him un- 
molested ? ” 

Reassured by these words, which seemed con- 
clusive, the terrified Tories resumed their seats. 

I tell you he’s alone,” their leader continued, 
“ and is here as a spy ; and you all know what 
to do with a spy.” 

“ Yes ! yes ! Hang him ! Let us string him 
up ! ” a chorus of voices shouted. 

“There are two or three things to prevent 
that little plan,” the corporal remarked quietly. 
“ First, you haven’t got any rope ; and secondly, 
my men won’t let you do it. Suppose there 
isn’t over a half dozen of them, they are armed 
with muskets and you are not, and they are 
equal to the whole kit and boodle of ye.” 

“ I believe the fellow has a squad of soldiers 
out here,” exclaimed some one uneasily. “He 
allowed himself to be captured to see Avho we 
were, and knows he can call his men any time 
to his assistance. He wouldn’t be so cool about 
it unless it were so.” 

“ Of course I’ve got men,” asserted the oflicer. 


CAUGHT. 


85 


I can prove it to you. Levi,” lie called, raising 
his voice a little, “ bring up the boys and sur- 
round the building.” 

“ Aye ! aye ! sir,” was the immediate answer 
from the rear of the house, and then three shrill 
whistles rang out sharply and clearly on the 
night air. 

Before the last note had died away the Tories 
had bolted from the building, and were scatter- 
ing in every direction through the surrounding 
swamp. Two or three shots fired above their 
heads accelerated their speed, and before Levi 
could go around to the open door of the cabin 
to liberate the corporal’s hands from the hand- 
kerchief with which they had been tied, they 
were not only out of sight but out of hearing. 

“ How did you know I was behind the hut ? ” 
Levi asked, as he and Halsey in turn shook hands 
with the ofiicer. 

“ I guessed at it,” he admitted ; “ and yet it 
wasn’t altogether a guess. I knew if you were 
in my place and I in yours it would have been 
my first move to hear what was going on. I 
also knew Levi Dart well enough to understand 


86 


A BRAVE DEFENSE. 


I had but to give him a hint, and he would find 
some way to frighten the rascals. My ! how 
they did run ! ” and he laughed aloud at the 
spectacle the fleeing Tories had cut as they ran 
for the woods. 

Keloading their muskets that they might be 
ready for use should they be needed, the three 
patriots now retraced their steps down the brook 
to the northern terminus of the swamp, and then 
hurried over to Fort Nonsense. As they made 
the latter part of their journey Corporal Smith 
spoke of the facts he had overheard at the cabin, 
concluding : 

“ There is going to be a surprise attack on the 
forts fast enough, and the Tories were planning 
to prevent our securing reinforcements. But 
what I didn’t find out is when that attack is to 
be made, and in what way. I hate to make a 
half report to Captain Shapley where I ought 
to have a whole one.” 

“The half you know may be the half he 
wants,” Halsey suggested, not daring to go 
farther in the matter he felt he had no right to 
disclose. 


CAUGHT. 


87 


“ Perhaps so,” the corporal assented as they 
reached the tiny fortification where they had 
left Daniel and the prisoner. 

The young Tory was fast asleep under the 
gun he had attempted to spike, but Daniel was 
standing guard over him as though he were 
wide awake and in need of the most vigilant 
watching. 

“I commend your faithfulness,” the officer 
said heartily, and going on to relate the adven- 
tures he and his comrades had met with during 
their absence ; then he asked : “ Have you seen 

any other prowlers around here to-night ? ” 

“Not a single one,” young Williams acknowl- 
edged. “Evidently Jerry told us the truth in 
that respect, sir.” 

“ And also about the meeting in the woods,” 
added the subaltern. “ I will awake him after 
a while, and let him go.” 

An hour or two passed ; the first signs of the 
coming morning began to show themselves ; and 
Corporal Smith, noticing them, aroused the 
sleeping captive. Unbinding him he said 
sternly ; 


88 


A BRAVE DEFENSE. 


“Well, sir, you have won your freedom; 
skedaddle for home, and don’t let me ever catch 
you around here again.” 

“You never will,” promised the delighted 
boy, leaping to his feet, and dashing out of the 
gate. The next instant they could hear the 
sound of his feet as he ran oif up the road to- 
wards his home. 

“ There ain’t likely to be any more mischief 
cut up here to-night,” the officer now remarked 
to his comrades, “ and I reckon the time has 
come when it will be wise for us to return to 
the lower fort.” Giving the order for his tiny 
squad to fall into line, therefore, he started down 
the hill. 

Dismissing the lads as soon as they were with- 
in the fortification he went off alone to report to 
his commander. That officer, though lying down 
upon his rude couch, was not asleep, and quickly 
received his subaltern. Before the latter could 
begin his report, however, the booming of a 
cannon across the river, immediately followed 
by a second, was heard. Then a minute later a 
third gun was fired down the harbor. Springing 


CAUGHT. 


80 


to his feet, and buckling on his sword, Captain 
Shapley exclaimed : 

“Your report is unnecessary. Corporal Smith. 
The enemy is here.” 


90 


A BRAVE defense; 


CHAPTEE VIII. 

THE FOUR FISHERMEN. 

The firing of those signal guns at Fort Gris- 
wold at so early an hour in the morning was the 
outcome of a movement which Captain Wil- 
liam Latham began the moment Captain Shap- 
ley returned to his own station. Unable to 
agree in the decision that Colonel Ledyard had 
reached regarding the information the two new 
recruits brought him, he went slowly off to his 
own quarters in the barracks with his head down, 
his mind preoccupied, and his whole attitude 
that of a man absorbed with his own thoughts 
rather than with his immediate surroundings. 
He failed to notice, therefore, that a soldier had 
crossed the parade, apparently with the express 
purpose of intercepting him, until he was ac- 
costed : 

“Good-morning, Captain Latham.” 


THE FOUR FISHERMEN. 


91 


Glancing up with a start he saw the gigantic 
form of young Mallison a few feet in front of him. 

“ Good -morning, Tom,” he returned pleas- 
antly ; and then seeing by the attitude of the 
lad that he was evidently there to make some 
request, he kindly inquired : 

“ Is there anything I can do for you ? ” 

“ Yes, sir,” Tom responded quickly. “ I came 
to ask you if T might have the day off for a 
fishing trip. Last week, as you know, sir, I 
brought in enough fish to feed the whole garri- 
son ; and I thought I’d like to try the experi- 
ment again. The men would enjoy the change 
of food, sir.” 

There was a moment’s hesitation on the part 
of the officer, as though some sudden thought 
had come to his mind, which he was trying to 
weigh in all its bearings before he replied. 
Then he said : 

‘‘ Come into my room, Tom, and we’ll talk it 
over.” 

Surprised at this unexpected occurrence the 
boy obeyed, and an instant later was closeted 
with his commander. 


92 


A BRAVE DEFENSE. 


‘‘ Who did you wish to take along with you 
on this trip ? ” Captain Latham now asked. 

Why, sir, your son^William, and also Tom 
Avery, would like to go ; and we thought we’d 
take Sambo ^ along too, if you can spare him. 
He knows every rock in the sound where 
there’s any likelihood of securing a mess of 
fish.” 

“ Where did you think of going ? What part 
of the sound, I mean ? ” the officer still ques- 
tioned, and with no show of what his decision 
was going to be. 

His quizzical mood puzzled Tom. Never be- 
fore when he had preferred any similar request 
had his commander seemed to be interested in it 
beyond giving a cordial consent. He came to 
the conclusion, therefore, that for some reason 
Captain Latham did not wish him and his com- 
rades to make the trip, so he hastened to say : 

“ Off the west end of Fisher’s Island, sir. 
That is where we went before. But if you pre- 

* There were two negroes in Fort Griswold at this time. 
Sambo (or Lambo) Latham employed by Captain Latham ; 
and Jordan Freeman, the body servant of Colonel Ledyard. 
No one fought more bravely than they on the day of battle. 


THE FOUR FISHERMEN. 


93 


fer not to have us go to-day, Captain, it is all 
right. Some other time will answer.” 

The officer laughed. 

‘‘ I want you to go,” he declared ; “ nothing 
could suit me better. But I want you to go up 
the sound instead of down it. I wish you in 
fact to run over towards the Long Island shore 
as far as Plum Island. Do your fishing there. 
Stay until after four o’clock at least, and as 
much longer as in your judgment the circum- 
stances may warrant. Keep your eyes open. 
Let nothing escape, you ; and on your return 
here report to me alone what you have seen.” 

“ But, Captain, what do you expect me to 
see ? ” asked the bewildered lad. “ What am 
I to look out for? Cannot you make your 
orders a little more definite ? I assure you I 
will then do my best to carry them out.” 

“ I can tell you nothing more than I have,” 
was the astonishing reply ; “ and I do not wish 
you to tell even your comrades that I have re- 
quested you to go over to Plum Island. Make 
any excuse to them you see fit, only go to the 
point I have designated, and remain there until 


94 


A BRAVE DEFENSE. 


after the hour I have named. Fish all you 
please, but notice everything that transpires 
around you, especially up the sound and along 
the Long Island shore. On your return report 
to me any circumstance which may have hap- 
pened which in your judgment is unusual, and 
that I ought to know. That is all. Good- 
morning, and good luck.” 

The lad arose and with a hasty, “ Good- 
morning, sir,” left the apartment. He felt that 
he wanted to be by himself ; to go out some- 
where in the open air, where he could think 
over the strange command he had received, and 
mature some plan for the trip across the sound 
which would not arouse the suspicions of his 
comrades. But as he reached the parade he 
beheld only a few rods away his two boy friends 
and the negro Sambo waiting to learn from him 
the decision of the captain. There was . no 
time, therefore, for him to collect his thoughts 
before he met them. He must go ahead with 
the proposed trip, and arrange his plan of action 
as the occasion required. So he walked quickly 
over to them saying : 


THE FOUR FISHERMEN. 


95 


“ It is all right. The captain' says we can 
go. Sambo, you may hurry on ahead of us, 
and get the boat ready for our coming. Tom^ 
William, and I will look up our lines, pack the 
rations, and join you in a few minutes.” 

The negro started off with alacrity to perform 
the task assigned him, while the lads went to 
their quarters to complete their share in the 
arrangements. Ten minutes later a small sloop 
with them on board moved out from the wharf 
nearest to the fort, and headed down the river. 
In a half hour it was abreast the lighthouse at 
the mouth of the harbor, and Tom Mallison, 
who was at the helm, immediately shaped his 
course for a run up and across the sound. 

William Latham, who sat in the bow of the 
boat, was the first to notice the direction taken, 
and called out : 

‘‘ Where are you going, Tom ? ” 

“ Thought I would try a new place,” he re- 
sponded, speaking as carelessly as possible ; 
“ we’ll go over under the east side of Plum 
Island, and try our luck there.” 

“ Mighty good place,” commented Sambo. 


A BRAVE DEFENSE. 


% 

‘‘ I’se ben ober thar wib Massa Capt’n many a 
time. I’ll show ye wbar ye can haul in de rock 
bass an’ black fish by de cart-load,” and he 
grinned from ear to ear in his delight at the 
decision young Mallison had made. 

His opportune comment prevented any re- 
monstrance on the part of the other occupants 
of the sloop, had they had been disposed to 
offer any, which is doubtful. The run across 
the sound meant a longer sail, and possibly 
rarer sport with the finny tribe, and both Tom 
Avery and William Latham were content "with 
their leader’s movement. So he secured their 
consent to visit the point the captain had des- 
ignated without disclosing to them that he had 
any other purpose in view than the trying of a 
new fishing-ground. 

The breeze had freshened as they entered the 
sound, and in about three hours they arrived at 
their destination. Here Sambo took charge of 
the tiller, and skilfully brought the sloop into 
a position off the island where he declared they 
should find plenty of fish. 

He was a true prophet and for some time the 


THE FOUR FISHERMEN. 


97 

four fisheimen had the best of luck. Scores of 
fish, big and little, and of several varieties, were 
pulled in. until the well of the tiny smack was 
filled to overflowing. Then at a suggestion 
from William Latham, who was getting both 
tired and hungry, they ran in shore, where the 
negro was given the opportunity to prepare a 
fish chowder — a culinary dish for which he was 
particularly famous. 

It took quite a while to cook this, and it was, 
therefore, nearly three o’clock before they finally 
sat down to their repast with appetites well 
sharpened by their exercise in the sea air, and 
their long waiting. Busy with his eating young 
Mallison, who up to that time had scrutinized 
land and water with keen eyes that allowed 
nothing to escape them, now for a while forgot 
to be on the lookout. He was brought to a 
consciousness of his remissness by a sudden 
exclamation from Sambo : 

“ Golly, boys, jess look at dem ships ! I 
neber seed so many before in all my life,” and 
with bulging eyes he pointed off over the island 

to the west. 

7 


98 


A BRAVE DEFENSE. 


The three lads turned quickly, and looked in 
the direction he was pointing, and saw that the 
Long Island shore from Southold and beyond 
was white with the canvas of a great fleet. 

“ Ships, brigs, and sloop, thirty-two in all, 
and every one flying the British flag ! ” ex- 
claimed Tom Avery a moment later in suppressed 
excitement. “ Have the redcoats evacuated 
New York ? Or are they bound down the 
coast to attack some place ? Or are they going 
to raid those villages along the shore ? What 
do you think, comrades ? ” 

“We must wait and see,” Tom Mallison re- 
plied, understanding now why Captain Latham 
had sent him to that part of the sound. The 
-ofiicer had doubtless learned in some way of 
this expedition of the enemy, and desired him 
and his companions, under the guise of harmless 
fishermen, to watch and report their movements. 
With this thought he instantly assumed com, 
mand of the little party. 

“ One of you smother that fire,” he directed, 
“ while I unship our mast. We must not give 
the redcoats any reason to suspect our presence 


Lore. 


THE FOUR FISHERMEN. 99 

here when they are nearer,” and he hastened 
down to the boat to execute the work he had 
laid out for himself. Then he and his compan- 
ions crouched behind some bushes near the 
summit of the island watching furtively the 
approaching ships. 

Slowly the vessels came down the sound, for 
the wind was not strong, hugging closer and 
closer the Long Island shore, yet making no 
maneuver that suggested to the observers an 
attack on the adjacent habitations or an imme- 
diate landing. Finally, when within easy cannon 
range of Plum Island a signal of some kind was 
run up to the masthead of the leading cr^ft, a 
huge frigate of ninety guns. In answer to the 
flag message the accompanying ships immedi- 
ately struck their sails and anchored in along strag- 
gling line under the lea of the great island. 

“ What does that mean ? ” William Latham 
asked after he and his watching comrades had 
waited for some time for the small boats to be 
lowered. “ I thought they were going to land 
their men, but there are no signs of it.” 

No, it looks a good deal more as though 


100 


A BRAVE DEFENSE. 


they had anchored there for the night,” Tom 
Avery responded ; “ but I don’t see why they 
should do that? There are three hours yet 
before dark, and though the wind is light they 
could make several leagues in that time. It’s a 
queer move, I say.” 

As his comrades began their speculations 
about the anchoring of the fleet, Tom Mallison 
leaped to his feet and, taking care to keep below 
the level of the island summit, walked rapidly 
up and down the uneven ground. At length he 
stopped abruptly before his companions ex- 
claiming in tones of positive conviction : 

“ What if those ships are already near their 
destination ? What if they are only waiting 
for the night, that, under the cover of the dark- 
ness, they may creep down upon their unsus- 
pecting prey ? Use your wits, comrades ! Tell 
me from what quarter the wind, at this season 
of the year, is likely to blow in an hour from 
now ? Is it not from southwest ? And how 
long does it usually continue ? Is it not until 
after midnight ? Suppose now the commander 
of that fleet knows this fact — as very likely 


THE FOUR FISHERMEN. IQl 

he does — and orders the vessels to make sail at 
sundown with the wind right astern ? Where 
will they land ? Does it take much of a head 
to answer the question ? ” 

“New London harbor ! ” his hearers gasped 
breathlessly as they caught his meaning. 

“ Exactly,” assented he ; “ and now, lads, we 
must divide our party small as it is. Tom and 
William must take the sloop, and, keeping this 
island between themselves and the fleet, make 
their way across the sound as fast as possible 
and report what we have discovered to our 
commander, while Sambo and I remain here 
until dark, waiting for the next move of the 
ships.” 

“ But how will you get away from here ? ” 
objected young Avery. 

“You are to leave the yawl for us,” answered 
Mallison, “ and the instant there is any indica- 
tion the fleet is getting ready to sail Sambo and 
I will embark in that and pull across to the 
main shore. We shall have considerable start 
of the Britishers and, unless there is a stronger 
breeze than I anticipate to-night, we can keep 


102 


A BRAVE DEFENSE. 


well ahead of them. Tell the captain to look 
for us about midnight.” 

This plan was discussed for some time, with 
many objections on the part of both Tom Avery 
and William Latham. Each wished to be the 
one to remain with their leader. But he was 
inexorable. 

“We shall need the strongest arms for the 
oars,” he persistently said, “ and those are 
Sambo’s and mine. Were it not for that you 
two might stay here while Sambo and I returned 
home in the sloop. You ought to see that my 
arrangement is the only one to be thought of.” 

Finally the objectors yielded, and, embarking 
on the little smack, began their homeward trip, 
leaving young Mallison and the negro on Plum 
Island. 


THE COMING OF THE FLEET. 


103 


CHAPTER IX. 

THE COMING OF THE FLEET. 

The next three or four hours were monoto- 
nous ones for the two watchers. There was no 
movement on the part of the ships to relieve 
the tediousness of their vigil ; and contrary to 
their expectation also the usual afternoon breeze 
from the southwest did not spring up. Instead 
what wind there had been, from another quarter, 
died aw^ay, and the little sloop, which had 
started on the homeward passage with her 
freight of important news, was becalmed before 
she had gone three miles. There she lay in 
plain sight of the observers as motionless as the 
anchored vessels of the great fleet, but fortu- 
nately hid from the latter by the intervening 
island on which the two Continentals were con- 
cealed. 

About dusk, however, there was a change in 


104 


A BRAVE DEFENSE. 


these monotonous surroundings. The long ex- 
pected wind came, but so gently it was scarcely 
more than a zephyr. But slight as it was it 
was noticed by the Britishers, and apparently 
aroused them to action. Signals were hung out, 
anchors were weighed, sails were unfurled, and 
slowly the long line of ships began to move out 
from their temporary rendezvous. 

Dark as it was the keen eyes of young Malli- 
son noted the course the vessels were taking, 
and satisfied that his conviction of the after- 
noon was correct, he spoke in a low voice to 
the negro beside him : 

“ They are certainly going to cross the sound. 
Sambo, and there is no doubt about their desti- 
nation. Come on ! We must take the longest 
and hardest pull of our lives. Are you ready 
for it?” 

“ Yes, Massa Tom,” the faithful fellow an- 
swered ; “ ye’ll hab no fault to find wid dis 
hyar chile.” 

Stripping themselves down to their shirts 
and trousers, they pushed off the yawl, and took 
up their oars. Tom’s herculean form and great 


THE COMING OF THE FLEET. 105 

strength were well matched in the hardened 
sinews and consequent endurance of the negro ; 
and neither had any intention of sparing him- 
self. 

They knew too that their hope of out-run- 
ning the enemy depended upon the faint and 
fitful breeze. Should that increase to a steady 
blow their chance of reaching the main shore 
first would be lost. They must, therefore, util- 
ize the moments before the wind strengthened. 
A mile gained now might prevent the failure of 
their plans in the closing hours of the race. 

Stimulated to their best efforts by these 
thoughts they bent their backs to the oars with 
a steadiness and energy that sent the light craft 
through the calm waters at a good speed. For 
an hour or more they pulled on in this way, and 
then paused a moment to rest their strained 
arms and to listen. 

The first thing they noted, and with intense 
satisfaction, was that there had been no increase 
in the force of the wind. Still there was not 
enough to fill out a sail or scarcely disturb the 
surface of the water. No vessel could make 


106 


A BRAVE DEFENSE. 


over two miles an hour in such a breeze, while 
they were making at least twice that. As long 
as this condition of things remained they would 
have no difficulty in keeping ahead of the 
enemy. 

Having settled this fact they looked around 
them for the sloop in which their two comrades 
had started homeward several hours before. 
The light wind that retarded the British ships 
must have delayed that also, and in their judg- 
ment she could not now be far away. But in 
the darkness they were unable to discover her, 
and deciding that in all probability they had 
not yet come up with her they resumed their 
oars. Before they had rowed another half 
hour, however, the quick ear of the lad caught 
what seemed to him to be the low creaking of 
heavy sweeps off a little to his right. He called 
Sambo’s attention to the sound, and, now that 
they had ceased their own rowing, they easily 
detected through the still night air the regular 
stroke of huge oars. 

It is Tom and William ! ” young Mallison 
exclaimed a moment later in low tones. They 


THE COMING OF THE FLEET. 107 

have got out the big sweeps and are trying to 
pull the sloop over to the main shore. Plueky, 
aren’t they ? We’ll join them, Sambo.” 

Turning the yawl in the direction of the sound 
they were soon near enough to perceive the out- 
line of the tiny smack through the darkness, 
and sure now that they had overhauled their 
friends they hailed them : 

‘‘ Ship ahoy ! is that the Dauntless ? ” 

“ Yes, Tom ; come on board ! ” was the 
immediate response. ‘‘We expected you would 
overtake us.” 

In another minute they were alongside, and 
the four comrades were again united. 

It took only a short time for each party to 
report to the other. The occupants of the 
Dauntless had not thought it wise to get out 
their sweeps until after dark, lest the movement 
should attract the attention of the fleet. But 
as soon as night came they had unshipped the 
mast, put out the huge oars, and set themselves 
resolutely to the task of rowing across the 
sound. 

“We knew if we had no wind, the fleet had 


108 


A BRAVE DEFENSE. 


none either, and so were confident we could 
keep ahead of it,” Tom Avery added, as he 
finished his explanation. 

“ Well, it is on its way now,” Tom Mallison 
returned. “ Sambo and I stayed at Plum Island 
until every anchor had been weighed, and all 
the vessels headed for New London harbor ; 
then we started. We counted overhauling you, 
as we have, and now the question is : what shall 
we do ? Shall Sambo and I go on ahead ? or 
shall we keep together and work the sloop into 
port ? ” 

There were arguments for the adoption of 
either course which the bright lads were quick 
to see and speedily brought forward. Should 
it remain calm the quickest way to get their 
important message to the fort was for the young 
leader and his stout ally to go on ahead in the 
yawl. But if the wind freshened before a great 
while it would be wiser for all to stay by the 
sloop, as under a good breeze she would make 
two miles to the row-boat’s one. Both argu- 
ments, however, hung upon a contingency over 
which the lads knew they had no control. 


THE COMING OF THE FLEET, 109 

The fact that if all remained in the tiny 
smack they need not be idle finally decided the 
matter. The yawl was taken in tow ; and in 
regular relays the four friends took turn at the 
heavy sweeps. 

It was perhaps ten o’clock when this decision 
was reached ; and from that time until the small 
hours of the morning the sloop forged slowly 
on towards the main shore. There was no in- 
crease in the wind, and when at length the long 
point, which begins the east bank of the Thames 
Kiver, loomed up through the darkness Tom 
Mallison, chafing with impatience over their 
prolonged delay, exclaimed : 

“ Here, comrades, let Sambo put me ashore 
on that point, and I will make a run for the 
fort, while the rest of you can work the sloop 
up the harbor.” 

His suggestion was promptly carried out, and 
a few minutes later he leaped out from the 
yawl upon the rocky beach, and hastened off 
towards the fortification. 

-He was used to running and familiar with 
the ground over which his route lay, so that the 


110 


A BRAVE DEFENSE. 


three miles he had to go were rapidly left be- 
hind him. In a half hour he reached the sum- 
mit of the hill a little south of the fortification, 
and paused a moment to get his breath. As he 
stood there he instinctively glanced seaward. 
The first glimmer of the coming day was appear- 
ing in the east — for it was about three o’clock 
— and in the light it gave he could see farther 
out over the sound than he had anticipated. 
As he looked he gave a great start. Not over 
three miles off the mouth of the harbor, and 
sailing directly for it, were the van ships of the 
British fleet. 

He whirled in his tracks and ran for the fort 
gate. The sentinel, though an old acquaint- 
ance, promptly challenged him. Without the 
password there was but one thing for him to do, 
and he promptly did it. 

“ Call the officer of the guard,” he demanded. 

The request was good-naturedly granted, and 
a moment later Sergeant Buf us Avery appeared. 

“ Sergeant Avery, I must see Captain Latham 
at once. I have important tidings for him,” 
the waiting lad said. 


THE COMING OF THE FLEET. m 

“ He is not here,” the officer replied. “ He 
was called home several hours ago, but left word 
for you when you came to report to me. What 
is it ? ” 

“ Come ! ” cried Mallison almost imperiously, 
sweeping by the sentinel and catching hold of 
the sergeant’s ann. He led the subaltern by the 
nearest stairway to the cannon platform, and 
pointing through the southwest embrasure of the 
parapet, added one other word : “ Look ! ” 

The light had steadily increased since the boy 
had taken his own seaward glance from the 
summit of the hill, and the height of the ram- 
parts enlarged the range of vision. It was not 
difficult, therefore, for the officer to discern the 
coming fleet off in the sound to the south and 
west of the lighthouse. 

His first exclamation was one of sheer aston- 
ishment at his discovery. 

‘‘ They are British ships ! ” 

His second was a command : 

“ Kun down to Captain Latham’s and tell him.” 

It was not a five minutes’ walk to the house ; it 
took scarcely half that time to run the distance. 


112 


A BRAVE DEFENSE. 


Captain Latham was up, and, as though an- 
ticipating the tidings the lads brought, said the 
moment he caught sight of his heated messenger : 

“ Call Colonel Ledyard. He will find me at 
the fort,” and without waiting to receive any 
report, he dashed up the hill. 

Tom as quickly rushed up the main street of 
the little village towards the residence of the 
commanding officer. He was easily awakened, 
and reached the fortification almost as quickly 
as the lad who had summoned him. 

As calmly as though reviewing his own men, 
the intrepid commander surveyed the approach- 
ing vessels and then turned to Captain Latham 
who was by his side. 

“ Fire the alarm,” he ordered. 

“ Sergeant Avery, call the gunners to stations 
seven and twenty-four. The pieces there are 
all ready for the ‘ ’larum,’ ” directed the captain, 
hurrying away. He had named the guns under 
his own and Sergeant Avery’s immediate super- 
vision. 

In five minutes the two cannon sent forth the 
signal which would convey to every patriot who 


THE COMING OF THE FLEET. II3 

heard it the startling tidings : “ The enemy are 

about to attack us.” But one minute after the 
second report had died away on the morning air 
the leading British frigate nullified that mes- 
sage by firing a single gun of the same size. 
Evidently there was some one in charge of the 
coming fieet who knew the secret signals of the 
Continentals, and with strategic cunning had 
changed the two guns of the “ ’larum ” to three 
guns, the customary announcement whenever a 
successful privateer entered the harbor with its 
prize. 

Hurrying over to Colonel Ledyard, who was 
still standing on the western parapet. Captain 
Latham exclaimed : 

“ They have broken our alarm, sir.” 

The commander nodded in token of his own 
recognition of that fact, and then he said : 

“ In this light wind it will be some time be- 
fore the Britishers can make a landing. Two 
messengers sent out at once, one to the east as 
far as Stonington, and the other to the north as 
far as Lebanon, will enable our men to get here 

before the attack begins.” 

3 


114 


A BRAVE DEFENSE. 


“Very well, sir,” liis executive responded; 
then he turned to two soldiers standing near 
him, and who happened to be Joseph Morgan 
and Thomas Mallison, saying : 

“ At my stable, lads, you will find two horses 
already saddled. Mount them as quickly as 
possible and carry the alarm in the directions 
the colonel has mentioned.” 

As they started to obey Colonel Ledyard him- 
self stopped them a moment to ask : 

“ Which one of you will go towards Lebanon ? 

“I will, sir,” young Mallison quickly an- 
swered. 

“ Then go as far as the residence of Governor 
Trumbull and acquaint him with the situation,” 
was the command. 

“Yes, sir,” the lad replied, hurrying after 
young Morgan, who had already started for the 
gate. 

In ten minutes, mounted on the back of a 
fleet charger, he rode rapidly up the road lead- 
ing to Gales’ Ferry. It was now light enough 
to see distinctly down the river and across the 
sound, and as he glanced over his shoulder he 


THE COMING OF THE FLEET. 115 

noted two things : The slight wind of the night 
had died away, leaving the British vessels be- 
calmed some distance off shore ; and his three 
comrades had abeady landed and were half 
way up the hill towards the fort. 

“ They are in plenty time for the scrimmage,” 
he muttered, “ and if this calm only holds a few 
hours, I will be.” Then, forgetting he had 
been up all night, and had gone many hours 
without food, he put spurs to his horse, and 
dashed away on the first of several exploits 
which ere that day was over were destined to 
make him famous. 


A BRAVE DEFENSE. 


ner 


CHAPTER X. 

THE EVACUATION OF FORT TRUMBULL. 

As his two messengers departed Colonel Led- 
yard turned to Captain Latham again. 

“ The brunt of this fight will be here, Cap- 
tain,” he said with prophetic insight, “ and we 
must make a defense which, though it may fail, 
shall remembered when the history of the 
colonies is told. You have now ninety men at 
your command, and the number will probably 
double before the battle begins. What arrange- 
ments have you made for a proper disposal of 
them?” 

As one who had thought the matter over 
carefully the officer promptly stated his plans. 
His commander listened attentively, making a 
suggestion now and then, but as a whole signi- 
fying his pleasure. Then he continued : 

“ I am going to cross the river for an hour or 


THE EVACUATION OF FORT TRUMBULL. 117 

two, but stall return here in time to take com- 
mand before the attack is begun. Good morn- 
ing ! ” 

Going down the hill towards the wharf he fell 
in with the three belated fishermen. They all 
saluted him, while Tom Avery ventured to 
say : 

‘‘ I see comrade Mallison has reported to you 
our discovery, Colonel ? ” 

The fact, yes ; the particulars, no. Do you 
know them ? ” was the curt response as the offi- 
cer halted. 

“Yes, sir,” the lad answered unhesitatingly. 

“Very well, you may accompany me across 
the river and relate them during the passage,” 
his commander said, hurrpng on down the 
hill. 

Handing the string of fish he was carrying 
to Sambo, the boy, greatly elated, turned and 
followed the colonel. 

As they stepped into the boat, hastily manned 
by four stout sailors, the sun suddenly peeped 
above the horizon and sent its first rays across 
the water to light up the opposite shore. It 


118 


A BRAVE DEFENSE. 


was the promise of a calm and peaceful day, 
wholly out of keeping with the bloody carnage 
and terrible devastation which it was to witness 
ere its course was run. 

Once out on the stream Colonel Ledyard 
nodded to Tom, who at the officer’s request had 
taken the tiller of the yawl, to begin his story. 
Ignorant of the fact that Captain Latham had 
requested Thomas Mallison to visit Plum Island, 
the lad told of his own and his companions’ dis- 
covery of the British Fleet on the previous af- 
ternoon as though it had been entirely acci- 
dental ; and recounted their experiences until 
his older comrade had been landed at Groton 
Point. 

‘‘We did our best, sir, to get you the tidings 
at an earlier hour,” he concluded- 

“We have lost little by your delay, and 
gained more,” the Colonel replied. “ The 
breeze which would have brought you across 
the sound in a few hours, would have been 
equally favorable to the enemy. The light wind 
of the last ten hours has been providential — it 
changes ^vhat was intended for a night to a day 


THE EVACUATION OF FORT TRUMBULL. HQ 

attack, and enables us to mak. some slight prep- 
aration for meeting the foe.” 

A few minutes later the boat touched the shore 
in front of Fort Trumbull, and Colonel Ledyard, 
unattended, entered the structure. He found 
the little garrison heroically prepared for the 
best defense possible under the existing circum- 
stances. Several of the guns had been dis- 
mounted from their usual position on the walls 
of the fortification, and wheeled over to the 
west, or open, side of the battery to protect 
that point from any attack which might be made 
by a land force ; and the gunners were even 
then busy ramming home huge charges of grape- 
shot as food for the anticipated redcoats. 
Other members of the little force were loading 
the cannons which still remained on the para- 
pets with solid shot — grimly determined to give 
the British fieet a heavy dose if it ventured 
that far up the harbor. 

Engrossed as he was with these arrangements, 
however. Captain Shapley did not fail to note 
the approach of his superior officer, and has- 
tened to meet him at the entrance of the fort. 


120 


A BRAVE DEFENSE. 


“ The enemy is in sight, Colonel,” was his 
quiet but pertinent salutation. 

“Yes, and you are making rapid work to give 
them a warm reception,” his commander re- 
turned, looking around on the busy men with 
apparent satisfaction. Then he asked : 

“ What has been done at Fort Nonsense ? ” 

“ Nothing as yet,” Captain Shapley admitted. 
“ I looked for an early visit from you, and so 
left the matter unsettled : whether to abandon 
that point, or send up a squad to work the 
guns.” 

“ Should the enemy land in large force near 
the lighthouse,” Colonel Ledyard responded, 
and ascending the nearest rampart for a better 
view of the section under discussion, “ no 
lengthy defense can be made either here or on 
the hill. I shall, therefore, expect you and 
your men. Captain Shapley, merely to hold these 
batteries as long as you can safely do so ; then 
join us across the river. But spike your guns 
before you abandon them. I shall send a com- 
pany of the local militia to harass and delay 
the enemy while landing.” 


THE EVACUATION OF FORT TRUMBULL. 121 

These plans were discussed a little more in 
detail, and then the commander hurried back to 
his boat where he gave orders to be taken up 
to the city. 

Disembarking at the foot of the parade he 
found that both private citizens and members 
of the Home Guard, aroused by the guns of 
Fort Griswold, were arming themselves to repel 
as best they could the coming invaders ; while 
women and children were hurriedly packing up 
their household effects and getting ready to 
flee from the doomed town. 

It was only the work of a few minutes to 
secure an orderly and despatch him with a 
message to Lieutenant-Colonel Joseph Harris,* 
who lived on Town Hill, to call out his regiment 
and prepare for a vigorous repulsion of the Brit- 
ish should they attempt to land anywhere be- 
tween Lester’s Gut and White Beach — an order 
which, had it been promptly obeyed, might have 
changed the history of that day. 

Other messengers were despatched to various 

* He was court-martialed for this neglect of duty ; found 
guilty on five specific charges ; and cashiered as a person un- 
worthy of the oflSce. 


122 A BRAVE DEFENSE. 

military leaders near at hand bearing commands 
which, as far as human judgment could plan, 
prepared for every emergency that might arise 
during the conflict now so imminent. Thus 
having done all he could to protect the city the 
intrepid commander returned to the river, 
followed by an anxious crowd which clamored 
for him to remain. 

Stepping into his boat he raised his hat and 
bade the assembled throng good morning with 
these words : 

My place is over at yonder fort where the 
fiercest attack of the enemy will be made ; and 
if I must lose honor or life you who know me 
best can tell which it will be.” Then he hast- 
ened to his own special post of duty. 

Meantime Captain Shapley had been carrying 
out the orders given him. Ten men, including 
Levi Dart, Daniel Williams, and Halsey San- 
ford, were sent under a sergeant to Fort Non- 
sense with instructions to hold the battery as 
long as possible, and then to retreat to the 
lower fortification. 

It took the little party but a few minutes to 


THE EVACUATION OP FORT TRUMBULL. 123 

reach the hill, where the cannon Levi had 
cleaned so thoroughly only two days before 
were quickly loaded, and the approach of the 
enemy impatiently waited for. 

The three lads occupied stations near each 
other at the southwest end of the battery, and 
by mounting the parapet had an unobstructed 
view of the coming vessels and the adjacent 
shore. The monotony of their waiting was re- 
lieved to some degree, therefore, by their close 
observation of the incidents that now transpired. 

Squads of armed men, without regularity of 
movement, and apparently without commanders, 
hurried by on their way to the shore to meet 
the invaders. Arriving there they concealed 
themselves behind rocks, and walls, and trees, 
wherever fancy or humor suggested an opportune 
position for a shot, and there awaited the Brit- 
ishers. In this manner perhaps one hundred 
men had gathered, when, not far from nine 
o’clock, the great fleet swung in close to the 
river’s mouth, and, dividing into two nearly 
equal portions, prepared to land forces simulta- 
neously on the right and left banks. 


124 


A BRAVE DEFENSE. 


See ! they are lowering the boats,” Halsey 
Sanford cried out a few minutes later. 

“Yes; and look at the redcoats pouring 
down into them,” answered Daniel Williams. 

“ How I’d like to be with those fellows on 
the beach ! ” exclaimed Levi Dart. “ They are 
going to have all the fun.” 

“Not much ! ” retorted Halsey, as a gun from 
one of the frigates sent a shot ploughing and 
skipping along the shore. “ There’ll be a tune 
played down that way which will have more than 
one disagreeable note in it if I’m not mistaken.” 

He was right, for as the loaded yawls started 
for the land, a dozen or more of the ships poured 
a hot fire of balls and grape-shot over the heads 
and about the hiding-places of the hapless Con- 
tinentals. 

Still they heroically kept their places, and 
fired upon the approaching boats with a rapidity 
and precision which caused them to waver, until 
a stout barge pushed to the front, in which was 
a tall officer, gorgeously dressed, who arose in 
the stern, and brandishing his sword over his 
head, shouted out : 


THE EVACUATION OF FORT TRUMBULL. 1^5 

“ Pull away, lads ! Pull away ! There is but 
a handful of those rascals, and we’ll drive them 
before us like sheep.” 

It was General Ai*nold, and under the impetus 
of his words the yawls dashed forward to the 
shore. 

Before the tremendous odds that confronted 
them the little band of patriots slowly retreated 
up the road, firing into the lines of the enemy as 
the opportunity offered, and stubbornly contest- 
ing their advance. Had they been organized 
into a solid phalanx, and under a competent 
ofi&cer, they would have been no mean obstacle 
in the path of the Britishers. 

As it was, vvdthin a half hour, they were driven 
back nearly to Fort Nonsense, whose guns, 
under the direction of the subaltern in charge, 
were quickly discharged. The muzzles of the 
six-pounders had been elevated, and it was the 
intention of the sergeant to throw the shot over 
the heads of the retreating Continentals into the 
ranks of the enemy. But for some reason the 
small pieces did not send their contents as far 
as was expected, and the bails fell a little short 


126 


A BRAVE DEFENSE. 


of, but dangerously near to, tbe patriots, who 
were thus brought between two fires : that of 
their friends as well as that of their foes. 

It was the only time, moreover, that the can- 
non were fired, for a sudden movement on the 
part of the Britishers compelled the little band 
in charge of the fortification hurriedly to 
abandon it. Four companies of infantry were 
ordered by General Arnold to make an immedi- 
ate attack on Fort Trumbull. 

Too far away to hear the command the keen 
eyes of Sergeant Hempstead detected the move- 
ment as soon as it was inaugurated, and, calling 
to his companions to follow him, he leaped the 
rear parapet of the tiny battery and hastened 
down the hill, endeavoring to reach the other 
fort before the redcoats who were marching at 
double quick across the fields towards it. 

The race was a close one, for the ten soldiers 
had barely passed in behind the line of cannon 
strung across the open end of the water battery, 
when they belched forth their first missiles of 
defiance towards the approaching infantry. 

It was a short and unequal contest — four 


THE EVACUATION OE FORT TRUMBULL. 12^ 

hundred against twenty-three — and Captain 
Shapley soon realized that he must speedily 
abandon the fortification if he and his men were 
to cross the river in safety. Calling Corporal 
J osiah Smith to his side, therefore, he bade him 
select six other men who should remain with 
himself to cover the retreat of the others and to 
spike the guns. This selection was quickly 
made, and to Levi Dart’s delight he was one of 
the favored seven. 

Then Captain Shapley with fifteen of his men 
embarked on two boats drawn up on the beach 
outside the eastern wall of the fort, and, leaving 
a third yawl for their heroic comrades who had 
remained behind, fled across the river. A half 
hour later they were received with shouts of 
joy at Fort Griswold, where they increased the 
number of gallant defenders who had now 
gathered there to one hundred and sixty. 


128 


A BRAVE DEFENSE. 


CHAPTER XI. 

TOM MALLISOn’s EXPLOIT. 

Familiar witli every foot of tlie route he was 
to travel, and well acquainted with the military 
officials at Gale’s Ferry, Allyn’s Point, Norwich, 
Preston and Lebanon, that he was to notify, 
Thomas Mallison rode swiftly off up the east 
bank of the river without a single thought of 
danger to himself. He knew, even if there was 
no interruption or delay, it would take him at 
least five hours to cover the distance he had to 
go, and in that time the British would be able 
to land and attack the fort. There was, there- 
fore, only about an even chance that he could 
get back in time for the battle, but he deter- 
mined to win if it were a possible thing. 

There was, however, a higher consideration 
to urge him on. The sooner each commander 
of the state militia was warned, the sooner re- 


TOM MALLISON’S EXPLOIT. 129 

inforcements would pour into the garrison so 
greatly in need of them. His horse was fresh 
and powerful, capable of magnificent work, and, 
knowing it would meet the approval of its owner, 
he resolved to make that ride a memorable one 
in that region. Leaning over the back of his 
dashing steed, therefore, he patted its neck 
affectionately saying: 

“ You must do your very best to-day, Billy ; 
the lives of good men hang upon your speed.” 

The intelligent animal seemed to comprehend 
by the loving strokes, if not by the words, that 
something extra was expected of him, for he 
immediately settled down into a long regular 
stride which carried him over the uneven ground 
at a tremendous rate of speed. 

In this way several homesteads were passed, 
the rider merely shouting out to the startled 
occupants as he swept by : 

“ To the fort ! To the fort ! The redcoats 
are coming ! ” 

Then a long wood was entered, which, in the 
dim light of the morning, and under the heavy 
shadows seemed dark and foreboding. The 
9 


130 


A BRAVE DEFENSE, 


young messenger could not tell why lie suddenly 
became so nervous and apprehensive. He tried 
to shake the feeling off by whistling softly to 
himself, but it would not down. Slacking the 
speed of his horse a little, therefore, he rode for- 
ward with every sense on the alert. 

Down a small hill, across a tiny stream, and 
up a sharp ascent his course led him. As he 
started up the latter, four men, all carrying 
muskets, came quickly over the brow of the 
knoll, and hastened toward him. Unarmed as 
he was — ^for he had not thought it necessary to 
take a weapon with him — the situation was 
startling unless the newcomers proved to be 
friends. Scanning their faces sharply he saw 
that they were all strangers, but the frank, un- 
concerned way in which they advanced without 
removing their guns from their shoulders, 
quickly led him to decide that they were patriots 
on their march to the fortification. So with a 
sigh of relief he held up his steed enough to bid 
them a pleasant good-morning, and then add : 

“ Hurry along, comrades ! The colonel is wait- 
ing for you, and has sent me out to call you in.” 


TOM MALLISON’S EXPLOIT. 131 

‘‘ That is what we thought the moment we 
saw you/’ the nearest man responded coolly, and 
with an adroit movement catching hold of the 
horse’s bridle ; so you will kindly stop right 
here.” 

It was useless to resist, for already three 
muskets, held in the hands of determined men, 
were pointing straight at him ; and realizing he 
had unwittingly fallen into a trap skilfully 
set for him by a party of Tories, Tom in the 
best humor possible under the circumstances 
obeyed a peremptory order to dismount. In 
another minute his hands were bound behind 
him mth a handkerchief ; and then he and his 
horse were led into the forest for a half mile 
to a lumberman’s camp. It was now deserted, 
however, and, tying the animal under one of the 
rude sheds, his captors conducted him to a log 
hut near the center of the clearing. 

A few rude stools and bunks constituted the 
sole furniture of the cabin, and motioning their 
prisoner to take a seat the four Tories sat down 
near him. 

There was a brief silence during which the 


132 


A BRAVE DEFENSE. 


captured lad took a careful note of his surround- 
ings. The room he was in was about fifteen 
feet square with a small window at each end, a 
door — that by which they had entered — in the 
south side, and a huge fireplace opposite. Back 
of the hut and opening into it was a lean-to, 
evidently designed for a storeroom, but without 
windows and any other entrance than the one 
into the cabin itself. The door and windows 
of the main building were wide open, letting in 
both the air and sun, but the boy did not fail 
to notice in his rapid survey that there were 
stout shutters for the second and a heavy slab 
barricade for the first, all opening or swinging 
from without. Quickly deciding on a plan 
which he believed would diminish the number 
of his guards, and so enhance the possibility of 
his own escape, he turned a smiling face towards 
one of the Tories who now remarked with grim 
humor : 

“ You ought to be grateful to us, young man ; 
we have saved you from a long, hard ride, and 
possibly from an untimely death, if you intended 
to return to the fort in time for the battle.” 


TOM MALLISON’S EXPLOIT. I33 

“ I try to appreciate all my blessings,” tlie 
prisoner retorted as grimly ; “but what strikes 
me as the most ridiculous thing about this cap- 
ture is that you fellows seem to take it for 
granted that I am the only messenger the colonel 
has sent out. If you knew Colonel Ledyard as 
well as I do, you would understand he would 
provide for just such a mishap as this ; and that 
there is more than one route up-country.” 

His captors glanced quickly and uneasily at 
each other, and satisfied that his first shot had 
told, the lad went on carelessly : “ But IVebeen 
up all night, and with your consent will im- 
prove the time I’m here with a nap,” and rising 
from his stool he stretched himself full length 
upon the fioor of the hut, and in five minutes 
was snoring loudly. 

One of the guards arose and walking over to 
the boy kicked him vigorously in the side; 
there was a short grunt from the sleeper and 
then his loud, regular breathing was resumed. 

“ He is asleep fast enough,” the man announced 
to bis companions. 

“Well, I’ve been thinking there is no real 


134 


A BRAVE DEFENSE. 


need of any of us remaining here,” the leader 
of the party immediately said ; “ we can fasten 
up the windows and door, and, binding the 
youngster more securely, leave him here with- 
out the slightest chance of his escaping. That 
will enable two of us to cross over and watch 
the North Lane route, while the others can go 
back to our old stand.” 

‘‘ The second messenger may have already 
passed,” objected one of his comrades. 

“We must take that risk,” was the reply. 
“We shall gain nothing by remaining here, and 
may gain much by following out my proposal. 
Russell, you and I will go out and close the 
shutters, while Williams and Turner look at the 
fastenings of the prisoner and see if they are 
secure.” 

As the four Tories set their muskets up 
against the side of the cabin, near the door, and 
started to carry out their assigned tasks, there 
was a slight movement on the part of their 
gigantic though youthful captive wholly un- 
noticed by them. He turned enough to keep 
his half open eyes upon them, and to draw up 


TOM MALLISON’S EXPLOIT. I35 

his limbs in preparation for a sudden spring to 
his feet. Evidently he had not been asleep at 
all, and, as a close observer would have seen, 
had used his feigned slumber to good purpose 
since his arms, though still held behind him, 
were no longer bound. Moreover, not a word 
of his captors’ plans had escaped him, and, com- 
pelled thereby to make a decided change in his 
own, he had determined upon a movement of 
consummate daring. He only waited for the 
most favorable moment to put it into execution. 

Carelessly, and watching for their comrades 
to swing to the shutters rather than paying any 
strict attention to their prisoner, Williams and 
Turner approached the boy to examine his 
bonds. The next instant they were frightened 
half out of their senses to find him towering 
above them with his arms free, and before they 
could recover enough from their affright to act 
or cry out, the huge lad had seized them, one 
in each hand, by the throat, knocked their heads 
together until they were even more confused and 
dazed, and tossed them into the dark lean-to, 
one on top of the other. 


136 


A BRAVE DEFENSE. 


In another moment he was outside the door 
with three guns at his feet, and the fourth 
raised and cocked for immediate fire. Russell 
and his companion, rushing hastily about their 
respective corners of the building to ascertain 
what the unexpected commotion was about, 
were as astonished as their two discomfited 
colleagues had been, and with cowed and 
alarmed demeanor promptly obeyed the stern 
command they received from the self -liberated 
youth to hustle into the cabin if they did not 
want a bullet through them. 

The stout slab door was swung to after them 
and securely fastened into place by the exultant 
Tom, who now fired the four muskets into the 
air, and broke each in two across an adjacent 
log. Then he went over to his horse, and 
mounting, rode off towards the highway, un- 
heeding the cries and blows his former captors 
. were making for liberty. 

Roughly estimating that his delay had not 
exceeded a half hour, he, the moment he was in 
the regular road again, dashed off at a speed 
calculated to make up in a short time every 


TOM MALLISON’S EXPLOIT. 


137 


minute that had been lost. Nor did he again 
meet with any incident to interrupt or hinder 
his progress. 

In an hour Amos Lester, Samuel Allyn, and 
Simeon Allyn, all officers of the eighth regiment 
of militia, had been notified to report with as 
many men as they could muster at Fort Gris- 
wold, and the young messenger was urging his 
plucky steed towards the residence of Zabdiel 
Rogers, colonel of the twentieth regiment, and 
who resided near Norwich. 

Once there a ten-mile ride to the home of 
Governor Jonathan Trumbull in the town of 
Lebanon remained ; but not far from three 
hours after his hurried start young Mallison 
reached it — a remarkable feat, considering his 
capture and delay by the four Tories. Unfor- 
tunately the Governor was in Hartford, and the 
long journey to his house had been practically 
useless. This, however, was no fault of the 
messenger, and, conscious that he had faithfully 
obeyed the command given him, he was about 
to turn the head of his jaded steed towards the 
fort, when a sudden thought came to him. 


138 


A BRAVE DEFENSE. 


“ I’m anxious, Mistress Trumbull,” he said to 
the wife of the Governor, who had come out to 
the stoop of the dwelling to receive his message, 
‘‘ to reach the fort before the battle begins. 
Every man counts to-day ; could I not then 
exchange my tired horse for a fresh one ? ” 

“ Certainly,” she promptly replied ; ‘‘ and it 
should have been I who offered it. I will have 
it brought around immediately.” 

In ten minutes, mounted on the back of the 
Governor’s favorite charger, an animal as fleet 
as he was handsome, the young soldier dashed 
away on his return ride. 

Two hours and a half later, or a little before 
ten o’clock, he rode up to the north side of 
Fort Griswold. Already the Britishers were 
approaching the fortification on the south side ; 
all its gates were closed ; and its south guns 
were thundering forth their defiance against the 
foe. For a moment, therefore, it looked as 
though the lad had arrived too late to join his 
comrades. Then he came to a daring decision 
— the second one of that morning. Jumping 
from his horse, he left it to go where it pleased, 


TOM MALLISON’S EXPLOIT. I39 

and ran to the great walls. With a tremen- 
dous leap upwards he caught the top of the 
masonry with his left hand, and held on with 
that, while with his right hand he wrenched 
away two of the overhanging stakes. Then, 
using both hands, he drew himself up to the 
top of the wall, clambered up the turf parapet, 
and crawled through the nearest embrasure, 
amid the cheers of his comrades stationed in 
that quarter, and who had breathlessly wit- 
nessed the feat — a feat it was believed no man 
could do. 

In another minute, however, the lad himself, 
as though his act was in no sense unusual, had 
reported to Captain Latham, and gone to his 
station, the last man to enter the fort on that 
memorable day. 


140 


A BRAVE DEFENSE. 


CHAPTER XIL 

A HEROIC ANSWER. 

The station of young Mallison was. in the 
southwest bastion of the fortification, and, as he 
hurried along the gun-platform to his place, he 
gave a quick glance about him. To his left and 
between him and the next cannon was a squad 
of riflemen among whom he was surprised to see 
Halsey Sanford and several other men whom 
he recognized as belonging to Fort Trumbull. 
Why then were they there ? 

To his right was Captain Shapley in charge 
of one of the eighteen-pounders, which was also 
manned completely by a Fort Trumbull crew ! 
Here was a deeper mystery yet ! Had the 
other fort been purposely abandoned ? Or were 
the enemy already in possession of the opposite 
city ? He looked over that way and beheld a 


A HEROIC ANSWER. 


141 


huge cloud of smoke rolling up from the south- 
ern part of the town ; and it seemed to confirm 
this view of the situation. 

He had no time to speculate upon this mat- 
ter, however, for at that moment a voice greeted 
him : 

“ Glad to see you back, comrade ! You are 
just in time.” It was Tom Avery, who was 
attached to the same station as the newcomer, 
and who, as he now spoke, nodded his head 
towards the south and east. 

“Yes,” young Mallison returned simply, for 
he was already looking in the direction his 
friend had indicated. He saw that the fort was 
attacked by two divisions of the Britishers, each 
several hundred strong. One had approached 
within about one hundred rods, and was now 
intrenched behind a ledge of rocks opposite the 
southeast bastion, upon which they were pour- 
ing a shower of bullets ; the other, though 
farther away and protected by a small elevation, 
was almost directly in front of his own posi- 
tion. 

He turned to ask his friend some question 


142 


A BRAVE DEFENSE. 


about the previous movements of the enemy, 
but was interrupted by the terrific report of the 
gun to which he was himself assigned, for at 
that moment it was fired by the subaltern in 
charge ; and the next instant he was busily en- 
gaged with the other members of his gun crew 
preparing the weapon for a second discharge. 

For fifteen minutes this firing continued, and 
was hotly returned with cannon and small arms 
by the foe, but without serious damage to 
either one of the contending parties. Then a 
man, bearing a white flag, came quickly out 
from the eastern division of the Britishers, and 
hastened towards the garrison. A musket-ball 
sent a few feet above his head stopped him wdth- 
in forty rods of the gate, where he awaited the 
messenger of the fort. 

“ What do you suppose that means, Tom ? ” 
young Avery asked ; but his gun-mate, instead 
of replying, gave a cry of horror, and dashed by 
the questioner down the southern platform. 
Wondering what had happened he whirled 
around and beheld his comrade, and William 
Latham and Halsey Sanford bending over the 


A HEROIC ANSWER. 


143 


body of Daniel Williams* which was stretched 
out upon the heavy planking. In another min- 
ute he was beside them, and found tliat his ac- 
quaintance of the previous morning was dead — 
a stray bullet from the enemy had struck him 
in the head, killing him instantly. 

As the four lads, gently lifting up their 
fallen comrade, bore him down the steps and 
across the enclosure to the barracks young La- 
tham explained how the fatality had occurred. 

“ Daniel and I,” he said, “ were assigned to the 
duty of carrying powder from the magazine to 
the gun-station next to your own, and had just 
laid down our loads and straightened up when 
that bullet came through the nearest embrasure 
striking him square in the forehead. I was 
dazed for a moment by the mishap, and then 
bent down to see if he was really dead. At 
the same instant comrades Mallison and San- 
ford joined me ; the rest you all know.’’ 

The west side of the barracks was now reached, 
and laying down the lifeless form of their friend 

* Daniel Williams was the first and youngest person that 
perished in Fort Griswold that day. 


144 


A BRAVE DEFENSE. 


they reverently covered it with a blanket ; 
then they went back to the parapet. 

All hostilities had for the time ceased ; the 
messenger of truce still waited, while Colonel 
Ledyard held council with his officers ; and with 
nothing else to do the four boys sat down 
together near the southwestern bastion. For a 
time, saddened by the untimely fate of young 
Williams, they were silent ; but at length Tom 
Mallison, turning to Halsey Sanford, said : 

‘‘ Tell me what has happened over at the other 
fort.’^ 

Briefly the lad told him of the landing of 
the British, of their contested march up to the 
forts, and the abandonment of each battery in 
turn by the squads stationed in them. 

“Where’s Levi Dart, then ?” Mallison 
asked, glancing up and down the parapets in 
quest of the familiar form of his tall friend. 
“ I haven’t seen him since I returned.” 

“He isn’t here,” young Sanford explained. 
“ Before we came away Captain Shapley asked 
Corporal Smith to select six other men who 
should remain with him to cover the retreat of 


A HEROIC ANSWER. 


145 


the rest of us, and to spike the guns after we 
were gone. Dart was one of the number 
chosen. We left a boat for them, but they have 
not come.” 

^‘Captured by the redcoats probably,” sug- 
gested Tom Avery sententiously. 

“ Yes, or killed like Daniel,” Halsey responded 
gloomily. 

“ That does not follow,” remarked young 
Mallison quickly. “ They may have made good 
their escape, but too late to join us here, and 
so are now fighting for the cause over on the 
other shore.” 

‘‘ They can’t be making much headway then,” 
returned Sanford, who seemed disposed to look 
on the dark side of everything since the death 
of his old playmate. “ The city is wrapped in 
flames as all of you can see.” 

His companions turned and looked across the 
river. All along Bank and Water Streets great 
warehouses were in a blaze ; the shipping at 
the docks and in the harbor was also on fire ; 
while clouds of smoke and lurid flashes farther 

up-town told that the resident portion was not 
10 


146 


A BRAVE DEFENSE. 


escaping the conflagration. It was a dismal and 
foreboding spectacle — the harbinger of an enor- 
mous devastation and ruin. 

‘‘ It is a sad sight, I admit,” Tom Mallison 
said; “their reinforcements, cannot have re- 
sponded as promptly as ours, and yet that is say- 
ing little. We ought to have five hundred men 
here instead of less than two ; and they ought 
to have a thousand fully armed troops across the 
river. Something must be the matter with our 
state militia.” * 

If his companions intended to make any 
comment they were prevented by the sudden 
booming of the great gun to their right. 

“ What is that ? ” asked Tom Avery, leaping 
to his feet. “ If I live they are firing at Fort 
Trumbull!” 

“ That is because Fort Trumbull is firing on 
us,” exclaimed Tom Mallison a moment later. 

* Why the State militia did not more fully respond on this 
day is an unsolved mystery. Many of the oflScers of three 
regiments, the 3d, the 8th, and the 20th, were notified by 
Colonel Ledyard’s messengers. The fact that eleven of these 
officers were afterwards court-martialed for neglect of duty, 
though ill some cases exonerated, speaks for itself. 


A HEROIC ANSWER. 


147 


“ See there goes a gun, but the shot does not 
reach much more than half way here.” 

“ It shows that the British have captured the 
fort, and that Levi and the others failed to 
spike the cannon,” said Halsey Sanford. 

“ No, sir ! It shows that they did spike 
them,” retorted young Avery. “ Some of our 
guns over there are large enough to throw a 
ball here without the slightest trouble, but 
every one of those shots fall short. The red- 
coats are using their own weapons, and they are 
not heavy enough to harm us.” 

“ But see what ours can do ! ” cried William 
Latham exultingly. “ That ball dropped right 
into the battery and has made trouble for the 
Britishers, too.” 

It was the second shot from the eighteen- 
pounder that the boy referred to. The gunners 
of the big weapon had got the range of the op- 
posite fort, as now without a single exception 
they poured shot after shot into the midst of 
the enemy. 

The unequal duel was soon over, however. 
In ten minutes the guns over the river were 


148 


A BRAVE DEFENSE. 


completely silenced, and the Britishers driven 
out of the fortification. 

“ I wish we could drive off the fellows on this 
side as easily as that,” Halsey remarked, as he 
and his three friends resumed their seats. 

There was another silence for some time, 
broken again by Mallison. 

“ What happened here before my coming ? ” 
he queried, turning to William Latham. Evi- 
dently he was determined, if possible, to keep the 
thoughts of his companions from the sad fate 
which had befallen their young comrade. 

“We had a good view of everything from 
the southern and western parapets,” the boy 
answered, and brightening up perceptibly. 
“ The British did not land on the eastern point 
as soon as they did on the western one ; and no 
attempt was made on this side to prevent their 
landing. Perhaps that is why they took their 
own time. Men, horses, and guns were slowly 
sent over to the beach, and it must have been 
half-past nine o’clock before they were ready 
to start for the fort. At the outset also they 
divided into two nearly equal forces, and ap- 


A HEROIC ANSWER. 


149 


proached from different quarters — one from the 
south and east, and the other from the south, 
and west. They had gotten into place only a 
few minutes before you arrived, and we had 
fired but a few guns.’^ 

‘‘ That is why I am puzzled by this move- 
ment,” broke in Tom Avery. “No special dam- 
age has been done here, and I don’t imagine we 
have done the enemy a great deal of injury ; 
yet here they are already sending out a flag of 
truce, and asking for a special parley with us. 
Maybe they want to give up the attack, and are 
going to ask our permission to withdraw,” and 
he smiled at his own conceit. 

“We shall soon know,” returned Halsey 
Sanford, “ for there go our messengers. There 
are three of them ! ” 

As he spoke three oflftcers left their place of 
council and went towards the southern gate. 

“ Captain Elijah Avery, Captain Amos Stan- 
ton, and Cai)tain John Williams, all militiamen 
or volunteers ! ” exclaimed Tom Mallison, as he 
watched the trio. “ That is funny ! ” 

He learned later that they had been chosen 


150 


A BRAVE DEFENSE. 


for the mission purposely, that, whatever might 
happen from the venture, there should be no 
break in the regular officers of the garrison. 

The lads now arose, and following the ex- 
ample of the other soldiers, crowded into the 
nearest embrasures that they might witness the 
coming interview between the truce parties. 

As the Continental officers left the gateway, 
three Britishers of similar rank left the nearest 
division, and the two delegations met beside the 
bearer of the white flag. 

For some minutes the consultation lasted, and 
then the three patriots returned to the fortifica- 
tion, bringing the tidings that Colonel Eyre, the 
commander of the hostile forces, demanded an 
immediate and unconditional surrender. 

Only for an instant did the council consider 
this proposal, and then the messengers were 
sent back to the waiting deputies with the terse 
but emphatic reply : 

“ The fort will not be surrendered.” 

Upon receipt of this answer each truce party 
returned to its own ranks, and preparations 
were made for resuming the battle. But be- 


A HEROIC ANSWER. 


151 


fore a single gun had been fired on either side 
the bearer of the white fiag, for the second time, 
was sent over from the British headquarters. 

He was apparently more circumspect than on 
his first visit, for now he did not approach 
nearer than seventy rods from the fortification, 
where he was promptly met by the herald of 
the Continentals. He brought, however, only 
this verbal announcement from his commander- 
in-chief : 

“ If I have to carry your fort by storm, I 
shall put martial law into force the monaent I 
have accomplished its capture.” 

Understanding that this meant the immediate 
massacre of every man who survived the attack. 
Colonel Ledyard, with the unanimous consent 
of his officers, sent back the heroic and defiant 
answer : 

“ I will not surrender the fort let the conse- 
quences be what they may.” 


152 


A BRAVE DEFENSE. 


CHAPTER XIII. 

A PLUCKY ESCAPE. 

When Tom Avery declared so emphatically 
to his three friends that the small guns the 
British were using in Fort Trumbull were a 
sure evidence that Levi Dart and his brave 
comrades had been successful in their attempt 
to disable the regular armament there, he was 
right. Corporal Smith and his associates had 
done the work assigned them faithfully and 
well. 

The moment that Captain Shapley disappeared 
through the water gate of the fort with his 
fifteen men, the doughty subaltern sent off two 
of his little squad to spike the guns on the ram- 
parts, while he and the four remaining soldiers 
stood resolutely by the cannon which had been 
mounted at the rear or west end of the fortifica- 


A PLUCKY ESCAPE. 


153 


tion. Short-lianded as he was, the officer suc- 
ceeded in keeping the enemy at bay until the 
spikers returned announcing that their task was 
finished. Then the rat-tail files were driven 
into the touch-holes of the four weapons, al- 
ready hot from their rapid firing, and in reg- 
ular rank and step the heroic seven retreated 
to the river, where they launched their yawl as 
calmly as though bent on a pleasure excursion, 
and leisurely embarked. Before they had rowed 
fifty feet, however, the abandoned battery was 
swarming, and the adjacent water-front was 
lined, with redcoats. 

“ Come back here, you rascals ! ” shouted an 
officer. 

A derisive laugh from the fugitives was their 
only answer. 

“ Fire ! ” the Britisher commanded, and a 
shower of bullets fell around and into the 
fleeing boat, slightly wounding one of the 
rowers. 

Still the yawl went steadily on its course 
across the river, and would have escaped but 
for the unfortunate circumstance that there 


154 


A BRAVE DEFENSE. 


were several other boats not far away, two 
of which the angry captain immediately had 
manned and sent out in hot pursuit of the gal- 
lant patriots. 

They were, therefore, overhauled in a few 
minutes, and all captured save one. The ex- 
ception was Levi Dart. He was in the bow of 
the fleeing craft, and, as the pursuing yawls came 
alongside, leaped to his feet and plunged over- 
board. Friends and foes alike held their oars, 
and watched for the reappearance of the lad, 
but, though they waited some time, there was 
not a single sign of him on the surface of the 
placid water. 

“ The young rebel has drowned himself rather 
than be captured,” the sergeant in chaige of the 
boats at length said. “We will return to the 
shore.” 

But the escaping boy was alive and not far 
away. As much at home in the water as a fish 
he swam for a long distance up the river before 
he made any attempt to come to the surface ; 
and when he did so it was in a way to entirely 
escape the observation of the watchers. Turn- 


A PLUCKY ESCAPE. 


155 


ing upon liis back, the swimmer allowed only 
the tip end of his long nose to protrude above 
the water, through which he refilled his lungs, 
and sank again beneath the waves. Repeating 
this maneuver whenever he needed fresh air, he 
reached the point of land an eighth of a mile 
north of that on which Fort Trumbull stood, 
and where he coolly walked ashore to the as- 
tonishment and disgust of his would-be captors, 
who now saw him, but could not prevent his 
plucky escape. 

Wringing out his saturated garments as best 
he could without removing them the lad crossed 
the adjacent fields to the town road, where he 
stopped a moment to look about him. The Brit- 
ish were in possession of both forts ; but there 
was a crowd on Man waring Hill in possession of 
a single gun, which they occasionally fired at the 
main body of troops that was marching steadily 
along towards the city. The weapon must 
have done some execution in the solid ranks, or 
at least annoyed them, for a detachment was 
soon sent to disperse the band of patriots and 
capture the cannon — a deed it accomplished 


156 


A BRAVE DEFENSE. 


without difficulty, but without gain, as the gun 
had been spiked by its users before it was 
abandoned. 

The near approach of the enemy caused the 
watching lad to accelerate his own movements 
towards the town. Reaching the lower end of 
Bank Street he turned into it muttering to 
himself . 

“ I’ll go around to Aunt Sarah Fosdick’s. If 
she hasn’t already fled, she’ll give me diy cloth- 
ing. Maybe, too, I can be of some help to 
her.” 

A quick walk of five minutes brought him 
to a small house setting back from the street 
near the center of a spacious yard, with a barn 
in its rear. Throwing open the gate, he hast- 
ened up to the door, and, without the ceremony 
of knocking, opened it and went in. 

A middle-aged woman, who was on the floor 
busily engaged in wrapping up some bundles, 
sprang to her feet at his entrance with a sharp 
cry of alarm. Noticing immediately, however, 
who the intruder was, she asked sternly : 

“ What are you doing here, Levi Dart ? Why 


A PLUCKY ESCAPE. 


167 


are you not with your comrades at the post of 
danger ? ” 

Quickly the lad explained why he was there, 
adding : 

“ I want some dry clothes first of all, Aunt 
Sarah ; then if I can serve you in any way I 
will gladly do so ; after that I will see if I can 
get across the river and join Captain Shapley.” 

His explanation mollified her completely and 
she replied kindly : 

“ Go right up to your Cousin George’s room, 
where you’ll find some serviceable garments, 
though I shall not warrant the fit. Then come 
back here, and I’ll see whether I shall need 
you.” 

He obeyed her, returning before long dressed 
in a dry and clean suit, but one that was alto- 
gether too short in some quarters, and too large 
in others, to allow him to make a very respect- 
able appearance. 

Laughing a little at the figure he cut, his 
aunt asked somewhat nervously : 

“ Do you really suppose the redcoats will 
destroy private property, Levi ? It don’t seem 


158 


A BRAVE DEFENSE. 


possible they could do such a thing, especially 
that of a poor widow.” 

“ Do you know Janies Tilley ? ” was her 
nephew’s unexpected query. 

‘‘ Why, yes,” she replied wonderingly ; “ he 
lives but a few doors from here. I’ve known 
him half my life.” 

“ What do you think of him ? What kind 
of a man is he ? ” Levi persisted. 

“ He’s an awful Tory,” she responded ; then 
her curiosity got the better of her fears and she 
inquired : “ But why do you ask ? ” 

“ Remember, Aunt Sarah, that you are the 
widow of a man who lost his life fighting the 
British ; remember, too, that you have a son 
with Washington at this very hour,” cried the 
lad shrilly ; “ and then tell me, is James Tilley 
the man to spare your property ? ” 

“ No,” she admitted. 

“ Well,” the boy went on, “ he, as I happen 
to know, rides by General Benedict Arnold’s 
side to point out the property of the Tories 
that it may be spared, and the property of all 
patriots that it may be burned.” 


A PLUCKY ESCAPE. 


159 


‘‘ Levi, go to the barn and bridle my horse,” 
she said promptly ; and bring him around to 
the door. I’ll get you to tie these packages on 
his back and accompany me over to Post Hill 
to the corner of the Cohanzy road. Then I’ll 
lead him the rest of the way to my sister’s, while 
you can return to fight the British. And, Levi, 
if you catch sight of that James Tilley, I think 
you will be justified in — in making him, suffer 
as he will make scores of his neighbors suffer 
to-day.” 

Fifteen minutes later they had left the cottage, 
and were on their way out of the city. Crowds 
of women and children, some on horseback, and 
some on foot, were hastening in the same direc- 
tion. Unless the enemy came quickly they 
would find a deserted city for their looting and 
burning. 

When at Cohanzy corner the younger soldier 
refused to leave his aunt, and, despite her re- 
peated protests, persisted in going the remain- 
ing two miles with her to her harbor of safety. 

But the moment the bundles were unstrapped 
from the horse, he mounted the bare back of 


160 


A BRAVE DEFENSE. 


the animal, and started on his return. Before 
he was out of hearing, however, his aunt called 
after him : 

“ Levi ! Levi ! I have forgotten the box con- 
taining my deeds and all my valuable papers. 
It is on the shelf in the small closet out of my 
room. Please get it, and put it in some safe 
place, or send it out here to me.” 

“ All right,” he answered, galloping rapidly 
on towards the town. 

He got back as far as Post Hill in time to 
see the short duel between Forts Griswold and 
Trumbull ; and laughed aloud when the dis- 
comfited redcoats were compelled to evacuate 
the latter. His rejoicing would have been all 
the more intense had he known that Captain 
Shapley was in charge of, and some of his own 
comrades were manning, the very gun which 
drove the enemy from the captured battery. 
There was certainly something like poetical 
justice in the turn of affairs. 

This incident, however, was the only thing 
he witnessed that day that caused him to re- 
joice : everything else filled him with dismay. 


A PLUCKY ESCAPE. 


161 


First his eye fell on Water Street, and he noted 
that the great warehouse, in which the cargo olf 
the ship Hannah, valued at four hundred thou- 
sand dollars, had been stored, was on fire. It had 
evidently been plundered, and now was being 
destroyed. Other great store-houses, on the 
right and left, were also in flames ; while some 
of the shipping in the river, as well as that at 
the adjacent docks, had caught and were a part 
of the same conflagration. 

Then his eye wandered along to Mill Cove, 
and he saw that many of the private residences 
along its banks were all ablaze. Between the 
clouds of smoke covering the doomed town, he 
could also catch glimpses of small bands of 
Britishers still hurrying to and fro at their work 
of destruction. It was a sight that not only 
made his heart sick ; it filled him with indigna- 
tion. He only wanted a weapon, and he would 
have been willing to have attacked the destroy- 
ers single-handed. 

He also looked across at the Neck, and de- 
cided that when he had secured the box his 
aunt, had left at the house, he would abandon 

II 


162 


A BRAVE DEFENSE. 


his horse, and make his way around to that 
quarter, as the place where he should most 
likely be able to secure a boat for crossing the 
river. 

The thought of his aunt’s valuables led him 
to look directly towards her residence. He had 
not up to that moment given any particular 
attention to that part of the city. He now saw 
to his consternation that more than one-half 
the dwellings on that street were in flames. 
Then he gave a great start. He had made a 
startling discovery. His aunt’s house was al- 
ready on fire ! 

The next moment he had whipped up his 
steed, and was riding furiously down the hill 
towards the burning dwelling. 


RECAPTURED. 


163 


CHAPTER XIV. 

RECAPTURED. 

It had been Levi’s intention, upon reaching 
the parade, to turn down that as his most direct 
route to Bank Street. But on approaching that 
point he found that the court-house, the jail, the 
Episcopal church and other adjacent buildings 
were on fire, sending a cloud of smoke and cin- 
ders down the thoroughfare through which his 
horse refused to go. He was about to Avhip the 
terrified animal into subjection, however, when 
he heard a chorus of voices shouting: 

‘‘ There’s a rebel ! Quick, and we can catch 
him and his beast too ! ” 

Then a squad of Britishers dashed out of the 
smoke, and ran towards him. He whirled his 
horse, and galloped back up the street down 
which he had come at a speed that insured his 


164 


A BRAVE DEFENSE. 


escape, but not rapid enough to prevent a half 
dozen bullets from whistling unpleasantly near 
his head. 

Finding, in a moment or two, that he was no 
longer pursued, he, by quite a detour, passed 
the burning buildings, and then attempted to 
get down to Bank Street by a private lane south 
of the parade ; but again was he forced to flee 
from a platoon of soldiers. Satisfied now that 
he could not reach his aunt’s house on horse- 
back, he secured the steed behind a clump of 
bushes on the outskirts of the town, and made 
his way on foot towards his destination. 

He found this an easier task than he had an- 
ticipated. From yard to yard, concealed from 
view by the buildings that were still standing, 
or hidden by the clouds of smoke pouring forth 
from those that were on fire, and entering the 
streets only when compelled to cross them, he 
at length approached the rear of Mistress Fos- 
dick’s yard. A single glance showed him that the 
barn was already destroyed, while the flames were 
fast eating up the ell and west portion of the house. 

Hurrying around to the front of the building 



“that is the very box I WAS LOOKING FOR, YOUNGSTER! DROP IT,” SAID THE 

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RECAPTURED. 165 

he discovered to his relief that that side was still 
free from the fire, and fortunately it was on the 
second fioor of this part of the structure that 
his aunt’s chamber was situated. Believing he 
could reach it in safety, therefore, he ran up to 
the door, but did not have to force it open. 
Some pilferer or incendiary had already done 
that, and, dashing in through the opening, he 
bounded up the narrow staircase, and through 
a smoke and heat which threatened to stifle him, 
to the closet where the box he sought was kept. 
It was in plain sight on the shelf, and a moment 
later, with it under his arm, he leaped out one 
of the upper story windows rather than return 
through the suffocating hallway. As he struck 
the ground, however, he was startled to hear 
a man exclaim : 

“ That is the very box I was looking for, 
youngster ! Drop it, or I’ll run my bayonet 
through ye,” and a great, burly redcoat rushed 
down upon him. 

But quick as he was, Levi was quicker. 
Dodging around the nearest corner of the house^ 
he. jumped over the fence into the next yard, 


166 


A BRAVE DEFENSE. 


and ran around tlie buildings still standing 
thereon, hotly pursued by the avaricious Brit- 
isher, who evidently thought that the box the 
lad was carrying contained gold or silver, or 
other articles of pecuniary value. 

Across the third yard, from east to west, a 
clothes line was stretched which the boy with- 
out slacking his speed skilfully avoided, but 
the man, unfortunately for him, did not notice 
it, and, running plump against it, he was thrown 
upon his back with a force that nearly knocked 
the breath out of his body. Before he could 
regain his feet, moreover, the lad had dis- 
appeared, and, to his chagrin, he was obliged to 
abandon the pursuit for want of a trace of the 
fugitive. 

Snugly ensconced in the loft of a barn, not 
over one hundred feet away, and into which he 
had dodged the moment his pursuer was thrown 
down, Levi, through a crack in the boarding, 
watched the fellow depart ; then he turned to 
descend the ladder by which he had reached his 
hiding-place intending to continue his flight, but 
the sudden sound of horses’ feet caused him to 


RECAPTURED. 


167 


crouch back into his snug nest, and look again 
through the crevice out into the yard. To his 
dismay he beheld a half dozen horsemen riding 
unceremoniously up to the very building he was 
in, where they quickly dismounted. One of the 
party was in plain clothing, but all the others 
wore the uniform of British officers of high 
rank. 

“ I welcome you. General Arnold, and your 
staff, to my humble dwelling,” the man in citi- 
zen’s dress remarked, when all were off their 
beasts. “Leave your horses here, and I will 
send a man to care for them. We will proceed 
to the house, where I trust we shall find that 
Mistress Tilley has provided a bountiful repast 
for us. You must stand sadly in need of it 
after your arduous work of this morning.” 

“ It is the Tory and the Traitor,” muttered 
the concealed boy. “ I’m in a fix if they dis- 
cover me.” 

The Tory and his guests, however, went off 
to the house without entering the barn, and Levi 
was about to take his chance of escaping before 
a servant came to groom and feed the waiting 


168 


A BRAVE DEFENSE. 


animals when Master Tilley himself reappeared 
on the scene followed by two negroes. 

“ I want you to care for these animals as 
quickly as possible,” he said to the men on 
reaching the stable, “ for you will be needed in 
the house shortly. That chestnut gelding is 
the general’s charger, and you are to give him 
special attention. Rub him down well ; feed 
him a little extra ; and remove every particle of 
stain and dust from his trappings ; ” then he 
strode away. 

But in a minute he returned, calling out an- 
grily : 

“John ! Bill ! I thought I told you to fire 
every rebel’s house near mine as soon as the 
troops entered the town.” 

“ So you did, Massa ! so you did,” one of the 
negroes replied, “ an’ Bill an’ I sot fire to the 
house an’ barn north of yours, but Missus Tilley 
told us not to tetch the one on de south. She 
was feared of burnin’ you out, sah, as de wind 
am from dat quarter.” 

“ Huh ! there’s no wind to speak of, and not 
the slightest danger to my property,” the Tory 


RECAPTURED. 


169 


replied contemptuously ‘‘ Go over and fire the 
buildings now.” 

The men obeyed, and from his hiding-place 
Levi saw them kindle a blaze in both the house 
and barn of Doctor Wolcott. 

Some one ought to turn the tables on you, 
you old heathen,” the lad wrathfully exclaimed 
in an undertone as he witnessed the nefarious 
deed ; “ and I believe I’ll do it before I leave 
this loft.” 

He had no real intention of doing so dastardly 
an act, however, and a half hour later, after the 
departure of the negroes, slipped down the lad- 
der and out of the building. As he jumped 
over the rear fence of the yard just back of the 
barn he found himself face to face with an in- 
toxicated redcoat, who seemed to take the lad 
for a friend, for staggering up to him he said : 

“ Why don’t you fire that house and barn, 
comrade ? We mustn’t leave a single shelter 
for the rebels, you know.” 

“Well, if any man ever deserved to have his 
dwelling burned it is the rascal who lives there,” 
Levi retorted and edging away from the fellow. 


170 


A BRAVE DEFENSE. 


“ Then I’ll go and do it,” the soldier replied 
promptly. 

Tumbling over the fence he ran, as quickly 
as he could in his drunken condition, to the barn 
which the negroes had set on fire, and which 
was now burning briskly, where he obtained a 
blazing brand. With this in his hand he stag- 
gered across to the Tory’s house, and in a shel- 
tered nook, where a large vine clambered up a 
trellis to the roof of the dwelling, he threw it 
down. The light stuff caught instantly, and in 
another minute huge flames shot up the side 
and over the roof of the building. “ I’m glad 
it is the house and not the barn,” the watching 
lad commented. “ The poor horses could not 
save themselves, while this will only drive the 
general and his staff from their fine dinner.” 

Not wishing, however, to be found in close 
proximity to the dwelling when its inmates came 
rushing out, Levi now started on his return 
to the thicket where he had left his horse. 

* The fact that Arnold was driven from his dinner by the 
burning of the Tory’s house is unquestioned. There is a dis- 
pute as to who set it on fire, whether a patriot or Britisher. 
I have chosen the latter theory. 


RECAPTURED. 


lYl 


As lie crossed Bradley Street some one hailed 
him : 

“ Hello, Levi ! ” 

He glanced in the direction of the voice and 
beheld Jonathan Brooks, a boy of about twelve 
years, and nephew of Lieutenant Richard Chap- 
man, the second officer of Fort Trumbull, riding 
slowly towards him on the bare back of a big 
black mare. 

“ Hello, Jonathan ! ” he responded with some 
astonishment. “ How came you here ? ” 

“ Oh ! I’ve been in and around the town all 
day,” the lad answered in a matter-of-fact sort 
of way. “ Sometimes the redcoats have tried 
to stop me, and sometimes our own men have 
ordered me back, but I have eluded them all, 
and gone where I pleased and seen all the 
sights.” 

Then he grew more confidential. 

“ I rode down to White Beach behind father 
early this morning to bring the mare back,” he 
explained, “and stayed there long enough to 
see the Britishers land. I was near Fort Non- 
sense when you fellows skedaddled down the 


172 


A BRAVE DEFENSE. 


hill towards Fort Trumbull, and I watched to 
see whether you or the redcoats would come 
out ahead ; how I laughed when you saved your- 
selves by the skin of your teeth. Then I was 
over near Water Street when the troops tore 
open the warehouses, took out the goods, and set 
the buildings on fire ; and I was on Post Hill 
when Colonel Rogers arrived from Norwich 
with his men. He didn’t dare fight the Brit- 
ishers, however, but started off on what he 
called a reconnoitring tour way round back of 
the hills. 

I followed him and his men until I got tired, 
then I said : ‘ Go it, Jenny,’ to my mare, and put 
on the string. I entered the north end of the 
town, passed down Main Street about twenty 
rods, where the heat and the smoke of the 
burning buildings were such I could not urge 
the mare along. So I went back a little, put 
on the whip, and she went through. I had just 
cleared the burning district, when there was a 
store, containing a large quantity of gunpowder, 
that blew up. My, what a racket it made ! and 
the air was filled with fragments that fell all 


RECAPTURED. 


173 


around me. I was scared somewhat, and Jenny 
was scared more, but we were unharmed. Then 
I jogged down this way to see if father’s house 
was all right ! Do you know, the Britishers 
haven’t touched that, or any other building 
father owns? We are in luck, but I can’t 
understand why, when even James Tilley’s 
house and barn and rope-walk are all in a blaze. 
You can see them back here a little. But tell 
me about yourself, Levi? I heard your boat 
was captured.” * 

Briefly young Dart related the experiences 
through which he had passed during the day, 
including his recent attempt to obtain his aunt’s 
private papers and the incidents that had im- 
mediately followed. 

“What! A redcoat set fire to the Tory’s 
dwelling ? ” exclaimed young Brooks when his 
companion had finished. “ That is the best 
thing I’ve heard to-day. But where are you 
going now, Levi ? ” 

“ Over where my horse is, and see if I can 

* Jonathan Brooks has left a complete record of his expe- 
riences that day, from which this account is taken. 


174 A BRAVE DEFENSE. 

find some one to take him and this box out to 
my aunt who is at her sister’s in the country. 
Then I shall cross the river to the fort.” 

. “ The sooner you go over there the better, 
Levi,” the younger lad remarked sagely, “ and 
I know where there is a light boat you can use. 
Come on, and I’ll show you where it is ; then 
I’ll take your box, and get your horse, and carry 
them out to your aunt. I’m going right by 
there anyway to my grandfather’s, where my 
mother and my brothers and sisters are. 

Levi accepted this proposal, and followed 
Jonathan across the parade, and up Main Street 
to Mill Cove, where the latter pointed out a 
small skiff already fitted with oars. 

“ Thank you for this kindness,” he said, and 
handing his package to his companion. “ Tell 
aunt I shall reach the fort, if possible, and join 
my old comrades. Good-by ! ” 

Rapidly he rowed down the little bay. The 
booming of the cannon on the opposite side of 
the river told him that the fight was still going 
on, and anxious to have a part in the fray, he 
did not spare himself. But his eagerness to gain 


RECAPTURED. I75 

the other side led him to be inattentive to his 
immediate surroundings, and unconsciously he 
fell into a trap the enemy had skilfully laid 
for him. 

His embarkation had been noted, and a British 
yawl sent to capture him. Lying below the 
south point of the cove until the lad was nearly 
abreast it, the larger boat, pulled by eight stout 
sailors, dashed suddenly out, and intercepted 
him. He would gladly have played on these 
captors the old trick of the morning, but un- 
fortunately there was not a depth of water 
sufficient to put it into execution, and he was 
compelled to surrender. 

He was taken into the yawl beside a half 
dozen other prisoners who had been picked up 
about the town, and carried along with them 
down the harbor to one of the transports. 
There the whole lot were thrust into the dark 
hold of the ship, where Levi found his old com- 
rades of the morning. Undaunted by his mis- 
fortune he was soon telling them with much 
gusto his experiences while separated from them. 


176 


A BRAVE DEFENSE. 


CHAPTER XV. 

THE SURRENDER. 

It was after eleven o’clock when the negotia^ 
tions between the patriots and the enemy at 
Fort Griswold were abruptly ended by the per- 
emptory refusal of Colonel Ledyard to surrender 
the fortification under any conditions. Immedi- 
ately the British prepared for an assault. Their 
two divisions, one led by the commander in 
chief, Colonel Eyre, and the other by a Major 
Montgomery, marched out from behind their 
natural barricades and advanced in solid column. 
Their unbroken ranks, their regular step, and 
their cool bravery as they faced a foe sheltered 
by huge walls and armed with heavy guns 
would have excited the admiration of the Con- 
tinentals, had they not been busy just then pre- 
paring to repel the attack. 

Since it was evident, from the movement of 


THE SURRENDER. 


177 


the approaching troops, that they were going to 
assault only three sides of the fort — the east, 
south and west — the larger part of the forces 
in the little garrison was distributed along those 
platforms ; every cannon there was prepared 
for hot work ; and all spaces between the guns 
were filled with musketeers. 

The initial gun was fired from the southeast 
bastion. It was an eighteen-pounder in charge 
of Captain Elias H. Halsey, a volunteer, and 
was loaded with two bags of grape shot. 
"Waiting until Colonel Eyre’s division was on 
level ground, he took careful aim at the center 
of the solid phalanx, and fired. When the 
double charge struck it cleared a wide avenue 
through the column, breaking it in two, and 
scattering the men on all sides. But the stern 
command of their leader drew them together 
again and, with trailing arms and quick step, 
they came on towards the fort. Meantime can- 
non shot and musket balls were pouring down 
upon them, mowing great swaths in their ranks, 
and disheartening their advance. Before the 
walls were reached Colonel Eyre himself fell 


178 


A BRAVE DEFENSE. 


dangerously wounded, and this loss of their 
leader, together with their own decimated num- 
bers, compelled them to retreat slowly and sul- 
lenly to their rocky barricade a hundred and 
thirty yards away. 

The second division under Montgomery had 
during the same moments been advancing in a 
solid body. But no sooner was he opposite the 
redoubt than heavy charges of grape shot, from 
every gun that could be brought to bear upon 
him, did a terrible work among his men ; this, 
with the report of the wounding of the com- 
mander-in-chief at the head of the other column, 
which was now brought the major, checked for 
the time his attack. 

The respite, however, was brief, and scarcely 
gave the garrison time to look after its wounded, 
who, for the want of a better place of protec- 
tion, were carried into the magazine. While 
Tom Avery and Tom Mallison were engaged in 
this humane work, they ran in with Halsey San- 
ford. He was covered with blood from head to 
foot, and his face was so grimed with powder 
that he was scarcely recognizable. 


THE SURRENDER. 


179 


“ Are you wounded, Halsey ? ” his friends ex- 
claimed simultaneously. 

“Yes,” lie admitted ; “ but that doesn’t mat- 
ter. I’m able to keep on my pins, and that is 
more than many of our poor comrades are able 
to do. Did you know Sambo was dead ? ” 

“ No,” they acknowledged. 

“Yes ; he was fighting near me as brave as 
the bravest, though severely wounded in one 
hand. Captain Latham passed by and noticing 
the wound he said encouragingly : ‘ Stick to 
them. Sambo ! stick to them ! ’ ‘Yes, Massa 5 
kill ’em ebery time,’ was his reply, and those 
were his last words. A moment or two later a 
bullet pierced him through the heart. He was 
a noble fellow if he was a negro.” 

“ A hero ! ” exclaimed young Avery ; then he 
added reverently : “ May we die as gallantly as 
he!” 

“We shall have the opportunity before the 
day is over,” remarked Mallison grimly, as he 
and his comrade went back to their station. 

The second attempt to carry the fort by storm 
had already begun. The first, or Colonel Eyre’s 


180 A BRAVE DEFENSE, 

old division, now under the lead of Major Mont- 
gomery, the senior officer, was advancing upon 
the southwest bastion ; while the second column, 
commanded by a Major Bromfield, was charg- 
ing the northeast gate. In this way six hun- 
dred skilled and hardened veterans were moving 
down upon the fortification at directly opposite 
points, eagerly watching for every head that 
rose above the parapet to load a cannon or to 
fire a musket. 

Major Montgomery valiantly led his troops 
through a galling fire to the ditch, where a 
party of scalers soon planted their ladders, 
though working all the time under a tremendous 
shower of bullets. Then the intrepid comman- 
der himself, followed by a squad of picked men, 
mounted the walls, tore away the stakes, and 
reached the parapet, where he attempted to force 
his way through one of the embrasures. 

Captain Shapley was in command of that 
section, and dropping his sword he seized a 
boarding pike and ran the daring officer through 
the body with a force that hurled him back 
over the wall and down upon the heads of his 


THE SURRENDER. 


181 


own soldiers. The death of the officer, however, 
did not dishearten or check the advancing foe. 
With a shout they rushed forward to avenge 
their leader. 

The tight now became a hand-to-hand one, and 
raged furiously all along the parapet. On every 
side, four or five to one, the enemy were break- 
ing down the pickets, shooting the defenders, 
and clambering up the wall. Some of the gun- 
ners, no longer able to work their weapons, 
seized pikes to repel the invaders, while others 
caught up solid shot and threw them down upon 
the heads of the redcoats. 

Lieutenant Avery passing among the men, 
helping one here, cheering on another there, 
caught sight of his own boy, who had armed 
himself with a pike, and side by side with 
young Mallison, was defending an embrasure 
from all comers ! He said : 

“ Tom, my son, do your duty.” 

“ Never fear, father,” the lad replied, and fell 
back dead. A bullet from an outside foe had 
penetrated his brain. 

“ It is a good cause,” remarked the father, as 


182 


A BRAVE DEFENSE. 


he seized his son’s pike, and coolly went on with 
the lad’s work. 

For some minutes the contest raged with un- 
abated fury, and then a stray shot struck the 
flag staff, cutting the banner away. Caught by 
the gentle breeze, now blowing from the south, 
it fluttered over the gun-platform and down 
into the enclosure. The Britishers still storm- 
ing the walls thought it a token of surrender, 
and sent up a loud shout of victoiy. 

“ That is a bad omen ! It will dishearten 
our men ! I fear the day is lost ! ” exclaimed 
Lieutenant Avery, calling the attention of 
young Mallison to the accident. 

“Not yet, sir,” the lad responded, leaping 
down into the fort. Picking up the fallen 
colors, he carried them to the top of the bastion 
where he, though exposed to a constant Are, 
coolly fastened them, first to the handle of his 
pike, and then to the broken staff, thus raising 
them higher in the air than ever. As the flag 
swung again to the breeze, the daring youth 
calmly removed his hat, and, smnging it above 
his head, led his comrades in three rousing 


THE SURRENDER. 


183 


cheers. It was an act of bravery, which even 
the enemy appreciated, and the boy was allowed 
to descend the parapet unharmed.” 

The attack of the second column under Major 
Bromfield at the northeast bastion, while as vigor- 
ously resisted as that made on the southwest 
side of the fort, was not nearly so successfully 
held in check. It is true that the first attempt 
to force open the gate was gallantly repulsed, 
and the men who had been daring enough to 
volunteer for it were all slain. There was also 
a long and stubborn fight before the Britishers 
were in a position to make a second trial. But 
when they were again able to undertake it, they 
succeeded in breaking the huge door down, and 
came swarming through the opening and out 
upon the parade where they had the whole gar- 
rison at their mercy. 

Seeing the day was lost, and hoping to save the 
lives of his men. Colonel Ledyard now ordered 
them in a loud voice to lay down their arms, and 
then he shouted out to the British commander : 

* This gallant act is attributed to different persons. I have 
followed the account which gives young Mallison the honor. 


184 


A BRAVE DEFENSE. 


“ I surrender.” 

His words were either unheard, or purposely 
unheeded, for the enemy continued to fire 
upon all, armed or unarmed, well or Avounded, 
and steadily advanced towards the southwest 
bastion, Avhere its little band of defenders, 
ignorant of their approach, still heroically held 
the first division at bay. They were fired into 
from behind ; they were beaten down from the 
front ; and over their dead and injured bodies 
the long withheld column now came pouring, 
taking possession of all the gun-platforms, and 
exposing the little band of Continentals that 
noAV remained alive to two fires. 

As Major Bromfield, marching at the head of 
his division, reached the center of the parade 
Colonel Ledyard advanced to meet him. 

“ AVho commands this fort ? ” was the stern 
demand of the cruel and arrogant officer. 

“ I did, but you do noAV,” replied Ledyard in 
calm tones, and extending his sword. 

The next instant he lay dead, thrust through 
and through Avith his OA\m Aveapon. 

Jordan Freeman, the body servant of the 


THE SURRENDER. 


185 


colonel, who was standing but a few feet away, 
saw the cowardly act of the British major, and 
with the ferocity of a tiger he sprang forward 
and buried his bayonet in the body of the 
heartless officer. 

In another minute the negro himself fell, hav- 
ing received in his stalwart frame tliirty4liree 
bayonet wounds from the enemy : thus nobly 
he died avenging the murder of his gallant com- 
mander.* 

‘‘ From that moment a new horror came down 
on the fort; a black cloud of awful shame 
and crime. Honorable warfare fled, and hell 
reigned.” 

* There are several conflicting reports of this incident. 
Some make Captain George Beckwith, a Tory officer, who 
knew and hated Ledyard, the perpetrator of the cold-blooded 
murder. But it is hardly likely that Ledyard surrendered to 
any other than the commanding officer. The killing of the 
murderer by the negro is also denied by some. 


186 


A BRAVE DEFENSE. 


CHAPTER XVL 

THE WORK OF FIENDS. 

The Britisli probably obtained possession of 
Fort Griswold about four hours after their first 
attack upon it — that is, at two o’clock in the after- 
noon — but it was at a terrible loss to themselves 
in killed and wounded. By their own reports 
nearly one-quarter of their original force had 
been disabled or slain. No doubt this awful 
havoc in their own lines had angered them ; but 
it in no sense justified the series of heartless 
cruelties they now proceeded to put into execu- 
tion. 

At the moment of their entrance through the 
northeast gate of the fortification it is estimated 
that not over thirty of the garrison had been 
killed, or seriously wounded. This left one 
hundred and thirty men still fit for service ; and 
even before the inhuman death of Colonel Led- 


THE WORK OF FIENDS. 


187 


yard the most of them, as ordered by their com- 
mander ere he left the gun-platform, had laid 
down their arms, quit their posts, and descended 
to the open parade in front of the barracks, 
where they awaited the pleasure of their cap- 
tors. 

To those unarmed and surrendered patriots 
the murder of their commanding officer must 
have seemed the presage of their own fate, for 
they turned and fled to every corner and place 
where they could find temporary shelter and 
protection. Some ran into the adjacent bar- 
racks ; others hastened into the magazine where 
they crouched among the wounded, feeling sure 
the mercy of the enemy would spare those who 
were already injured, and hoping for some ray 
of grace to fall on themselves ; while still others, 
having no time to enter the barracks or flee 
across to the magazine, sought the shelter of the 
nearest object which promised to shield them 
from the fury of a cruel foe. But there is little 
hope for one who is already in the clutches of a 
man-eating tiger; and the unfortunate Conti- 
nentals were that day within the grasp of men 


188 


A BRAVE DEFENSE. 


more eager than any wild beast to drink human 
blood. 

The act which to them was indeed a harbinger 
of their fate Avas to the victorious redcoats a 
signal to begin their atrocities. The troops in 
possession of the platforms, swinging their hats 
once over their heads as though applauding the 
cruel exploit of their leader, commenced to fire, 
as men might shoot penned-up animals, at the 
fleeing patriots. Thus many of them were shot 
down even before they could reach a place of 
shelter. 

Then the Britishers on the parade took up 
the savage sport. Scpiads of soldiers appeared 
before the barrack doors, and fired in upon the 
hiding captives ; single troopers ran about the 
grounds hunting for and shooting do^vn their 
prey ; a platoon of ten men formed a line before 
the great doors of the magazine, where they 
poured in a volley upon the wounded and the 
uninjured alike. Then they stepped aside while 
a second platoon took their place, and repeated 
their cowardly act. But as a third platoon ad- 
vanced to carry on the merciless work an officer 


THE WORK OF FIENDS. 


189 


interfered, solely, however, on the ground that 
the powder in the receptacle might be ignited, 
and so the fort, with all in it, be blown to 
atoms. There was no pity for the defenseless 
men. 

Then a new atrocity appeared. The Brit- 
ishers scattered over the fortification, bayoneting 
the wounded, and robbing the living and the 
dead. For two hours this despicable business 
continued until an officer of high rank ran from 
side to side crying out : 

“ Stop ! Stop ! In the name of heaven, 
stop ! My soul can’t bear it.” 

And it was full time the atrociousness ceased ; 
for already eighty-five men lay dead ; thirty- 
five more were helpless from mortal or danger- 
ous wounds ; and thirty, in nearly every instance 
bleeding from numerous injuries, were prisoners ; 
while all, living or dead, were half naked. 
Only ten of the garrison had escaped — some by 
feigning death, some by cool audacity, and 
some by acts of bravery — and of the ten, six, 
strange as it may seem, were absolutely unin- 
jured, 


190 


A BRAVE DEFENSE. 


Among the latter were William Latham and 
Thomas Mallison. The former happened to be 
in the magazine at the time the Britishers 
swarmed into the parade, and wisely decided 
to remain where he was. Not a bullet of the 
two volleys fired in upon him and his comrades 
touched him, and when the firing had ceased he 
walked boldly out of the great vault, and up to 
the ofiicer who had stopped the shooting. 

“ What are you going to do with me, sir ? ” 
he calmly inquired. 

A soldier standing near raised his bayonet to 
kill the lad, but the officer pushed the weapon 
one side with his sword. 

“ Do with you, you young rebel ? ” he re- 
peated, and looking the boy over from head to 
foot. “ Have you fired a gun at my men to- 
day ? ” 

“ No, sir ; ” young Latham admitted ; adding, 
however,' without a quiver : “ But I have carried 
powder as fast as I could to keep the cannons 
going.” 

Possibly it was the boldness of the lad ; pos- 
sibly his extreme youth ; and possibly the officer 


THE WORK OF FIENDS. 


191 


had a boy at home of whom he was reminded. 
What prompted his reply will never be known, 
but he at length answered : 

“ Well, you may run home to your mother, 
but never again let me hear of your fighting 
against your king.” 

“ William did not answer. He had no promise 
of that kind to make. He immediately accepted 
the permission given, however, and disappeared 
through the nearest gate — ^probably the first 
recipient of any mercy shown that day. 

Tom Mallison’s escape was in keeping with 
the reckless daring he had exhibited all that 
morning. One of the last to come down from 
the platforms he was walking slowly over to 
the barracks along with Captain Amos Stanton 
when the butchery began.” 

My God ! must we die so ? ” the ofiicer ex- 
claimed and whirling around. A British soldier 
was near, whose gun had just been discharged 
at a fleeing patriot. With the quickness of the 
panther the captain sprang upon the fellow, 
bearing him to the ground, and wrenched the 
empty musket from his hand. 


192 


A BRAVE DEFENSE. 


The blood was too hot in the veins of young 
Mallison for him to remain unmoved by such a 
scene. In a trice he had armed himself in a 
similar way, and was running by the officer’s 
side towards the west parapet. They were w^ell 
matched in size and strength and courage, 
though differing so greatly in years, and leaped 
among their foes on the gun-platform with an 
impetuosity that compelled them to fall back a 
little. Having thus secured a footing the two 
Continentals swung their muskets right and left, 
clearing a path before them. Bayonets were 
thrust at them, and guns were fired in close 
proximity to their heads. Captain Stanton was 
wounded a dozen times; but his companion 
seemed to bear a charmed life. Neither bullet 
nor steel touched him. 

“A little farther. Captain, and we are safe,” 
the lad cried, as he saw his comrade falter. 

Push on, Tom ! Push on ! ” was the reply. 
“ I am done for, but it has been a glorious fight ; 
so much better than dying tamely,” and he fell 
back dead. 

One bound carried Tom to the top of the 



“a little farther, captain, and we are safe,” tom cried, as he saw his 

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THE WORK OF FIENDS. 


193 


parapet ; a second down to the wall ; a third to 
the ground, which he reached in safety, though 
a score of bullets were whistling about his head. 
In another minute he was running like a deer 
towards a thicket fifty rods away, and behind 
which he soon disappeared. 

Once below the thicket the lad stopped. 
Tired and hungry as he was he had no intention 
of leaving the vicinity of the fort as long as 
there was any prospect of his serving a comrade, 
or striking a blow against the enemy. So lying 
down in the clump of bushes where he had a 
good view of the south and west ends of the 
fortification, he waited. 

From his place of concealment he could hear 
the sound of the musketry that was dealing out 
suffering and death to his companions : and now 
and then he could catch glimpses, through the 
open gates, of the Britishers as they ran to and 
fro in their fiendish work. Again and again he 
regretted that he had only an empty musket by 
his side. Had he been supplied with ammuni- 
tion he would have ventured a shot at the 
redcoats on the ramparts, or in range of the 

13 


194 


A BRAVE DEFENSE. 


whatever the risk might have been to him- 
self. 

At length to his surprise he saw William 
Latham come deliberately out of the gateway, 
and walk unconcernedly down the hill. No 
one attempted to stop him, and no one fired a 
shot at him. Puzzled by this merciful treat- 
ment of the boy, he waited until he was opposite 
the thicket and then he hailed him : 

‘‘ William ! William ! ” 

Young Latham heard the call, and pausing 
looked in the direction from which the sound 
came, but could see no one. 

“ Here in the thicket ! ” was the cautious 
direction. ‘‘ Drop down below the underbrush 
until hidden from sight ; then come in here.” 

The lad followed the instructions and was 
soon beside his friend. 

“ How did you get away, Tom ? ” was his 
first greeting. 

Young Mallison modestly told of his break 
through the ranks of the foe and his leap down 
the walls ; then he added : 

“ But what beats me, William, is the cool 


THE WORK OF FIENDS. 


195 


way you walked out of that fort. One would 
think to see you that there was nothing going 
on in there but a picnic, and you had got tired 
or disgusted, and so came away.” 

The British commander sent me home to 
my mother,” was the simple explanation ; and 
it was not until some days later that Tom 
learned the whole story. 

“ Why do you wait here ? ” the younger lad 
soon asked. 

‘‘Something might happen that would open 
the way for me to help a comrade or serve the 
cause,” Mallison replied. 

Dropping down beside him, therefore, young 
Latham also waited. 

They knew little of the savage butchery and 
heinous robbery that was going on within the 
fortification during the next two hours; but 
they saw the enemy caring for their wounded 
and dead, and realized, therefore, the terrible 
havoc their own guns had done among the at- 
tacking forces. Throughout the whole time 
they waited twenty-four men, with stretchers 
made from barrack doors, were collecting the 


196 


A BRAVE DEFENSE. 


British dead, and preparing a huge trench for 
their burial just without the fort walls. They 
also witnessed the burial of Major Montgomery 
a few feet within the gates of the southwest 
bastion — the point he had so valiantly attacked. 
Meantime a larger force was carrying the 
wounded redcoats down to the river, where they 
were sent on board the British vessels. 

“We have lost the day, it is true,” Tom Mai- 
lison remarked, as he watched these operations, 
“ but the enemy themselves ought to be willing 
to admit we made a gallant defense against 
fearful odds.” 

“ That is so, and with little loss to ourselves 
but for this awful massacre of our men,” his 
companion responded. 

It was now after four o’clock, and with their 
killed and disabled comrades cared for, the 
enemy began to make ready for their departure. 
First the prisoners were brought forth under a 
strong guard and marched down to the river to 
be sent on board the transports. 

“ Thirty of them, and Halsey Sanford is 
one ! ” exclaimed William Latham in low tones 
as the squad passed near the thicket. 


THE WORK OF FIENDS. 


197 


“Yes, and Sergeant Avery,” Tom added. 
“ But I don’t see your father, or Captain Shap- 
ley, or a single one of our commissioned of- 
ficers. They must be among the dead or wound- 
ed. Sad as that is it speaks well for their 
bravery and devotion.” 

“ What are they going to do now ? ” inter- 
rupted his comrade, pointing towards a large 
ammunition wagon which twenty of the red- 
coats were now drawing out of the southern 
gateway. 

In a few minutes they were able to tell. The 
vehicle was loaded with the patriots who were 
helpless from their wounds, and who were 
packed one upon another like cord-wood. 
Drawing their load to the brow of the hill, the 
soldiers who h^d it in charge fastened up the 
shafts, and then with shouts of glee sent the 
wagon down the decline. 

It ran at a terrific speed, leaping over stones, 
plunging across the uneven ground with great 
bounds, and finally striking against a large apple 
tree stump near the river. 

The watching lads grew hot with anger at 


198 


A BRAVE DEFENSE. 


this unnecessary cruelty, and only the nearness 
of a large Body of British troops, who were 
withdrawing from the fort, prevented them 
from expressing their indignation in loud and 
vehement language. 

But cruel as this act was they were now to 
witness a more diabolical one. As the cart 
stopped with a thud and a jar that must have 
terribly shaken the suffering ones who were 
within it, large numbers of the redcoats rushed 
forward, and, picking up the wounded Contb 
nentals as though they were mere bags of grain, 
carried them into the nearest house.* 

“I’m glad they are humane enough to do 
that,” young Mallison had just muttered, when 
he, unmindful of the fact that he was exposing 
himself to the view of any chance passer-by, 
sprang to his feet with a cry of horror. 

There was reason for it. No one with the 
least spark of manhood in him could have done 

* On the right side of the Main Street and south of the 
ferry. It belonged to Ensign Ebenezer Avery who was one 
of the wounded in the cart. Unless recently torn down it is 
still standing with the blood stains of the wounded men upon 
its oaken floors, Avery would never uUow them to be re- 
moved, - . 


THE WORK OF FIENDS. 


199 


less. Now that the last patriot had been re- 
moved from the wagon and carried into the 
dwelling, the Britisher^ were deliberately set- 
ting fire to it. Then they scattered up and 
down the streets kindling into blaze all the 
buildings as they went. 

Tom and William hastened from the thicket, 
determined, though they sacrificed themselves, 
to go down the hill and endeavor to put out the 
flames that threatened their wounded friends. 
But before they had taken a dozen steps they 
beheld a British officer running towards the 
burning structure, and in another minute he 
had mercifully called back some of the soldiers 
to undo their villainous work. 

“ That is an act that amends for a lot of the 
fiendish business the rascals have committed 
to-day,” Mallison commented as he and his 
comrade were about to return to their hiding- 
place. 

But they did not enter the clump of bushes. 
A feeble cry from within the fortification had 
suddenly attracted their attention, and knowing 
the last squad of redcoats had departed a few 


200 


A BRAVE DEFENSE. 


minutes before, they turned and ran towards 
the nearest gate. When inside the structure 
they found one of their comrades, Elisha Mor- 
gan by name, who, though seriously wounded, 
was crawling as rapidly as possible towards the 
magazine. The moment he caught sight of his 
coming friends, however, he cried out : 

“ Quick ! quick ! The redcoats have put a 
slow match to the powder and set fire to the 
barracks. I was hid where I saw it all. Never 
mind me ! Save the fort ! ” 

Together the lads ran into the great vault 
and smothered the fuse ; together they crossed 
the parade and extinguished the fiames which 
had as yet made but little headway among the 
barracks ; and the fortification was saved from 
serious injury — a fact of so great chagrin to 
General Arnold, who had ordered it destroyed, 
that he could not refrain from expressing his 
regrets in his report to General Clinton. 


PRISONERS. 


201 


CHAPTER XVIL 

PRISONERS. 

It was true, as William Latham had observed 
from his hiding place, that Halsey Sanford was 
a prisoner. Though wounded he had stuck to 
his post of duty until there was a general re- 
treat of all on the southern gun-platform ; then 
he with others fled across the open parade into 
the barracks. There he remained, fortunately 
escaping further injury from the bullets flred 
through the windows and doors of the rude 
structure, until at the cry of the humane Brit- 
ish officer the massacre in the fort ceased. 

He was now taken, in company with all other 
survivors of the butchery who were able to 
walk, to the north side of the garrison, where 
he and his comrades were kept under a strong 
guard until nearly time for the evacuation of the 
fort. Then as we have seen he was marched down 
to the river to be sent on board a transport. 


202 


A BRAVE DEFENSE. 


Owing to the delay in obtaining a parole for 
those who were helpless from their wounds, it 
was after sundown before the embarkation took 
place. The prisoners, who had made themselves 
as comfortable as their stiffening limbs would 
permit under the shade of some large trees near 
the river bank, were now aroused by the stern 
call : 

“ Come, you rebels, go on board the boats.” 

No incident of the day had touched their 
feelings like this brief command. There was 
not one of the little squad who did not realize 
that this meant more than the leaving of home 
and friends; it meant suffering from hunger 
and cold ; it meant they were in the power of a 
cruel foe ; it meant they now had entered upon 
an unknown and an uncertain fate. With 
heavy hearts, therefore, they slowly arose to 
their feet, and descended the bank to the shore. 

When at the water’s edge they found that 
the yawls which were to receive them had for 
some unknown reason been kept off a rod or two 
in the river, and they were compelled to wade 
out to them. In two ranks, one on each side of 


PRISONERS. 


203 


the boats, they were marched through the waves, 
drenching themselves to their waists, and when 
once alongside of the light craft they, without 
a single offer of assistance, were harshly ordered 
to tumble on board immediately. 

Halsey Sanford, weak from hunger and 
fatigue and the loss of blood, would not have 
been able to obey this direction but for the 
kind help of Sergeant Avery, who, seeing the 
lad’s weakness, lifted him up by main strength 
and placed him in the cutter. Eleven others 
were taken on board the same yawl, while the 
remaining prisoners were distributed between 
two smaller boats. Then the three barges were 
pulled down the harbor to a small armed sloop, 
in command of a refugee Tory named Thomas. 

As soon as they were abreast the vessel the 
captain himself appeared, and with an intense 
hatred depicted on every feature, and a coarse 
profanity embellishing every sentence that he 
uttered, called out : 

“ Ho ! Ho ! So you have caught three boat- 
loads of the rascals ? A pretty-looking set they 
are, I swear ! A baud of cut-throats couldn’t 


204 A BRAVE DEFENSE. 

look worse ! And what am I to do with the 
beasts ? A hog’s pen is too good for them ! But 
hustle them on board, and I’ll see if I can’t 
make life a little more miserable for them ! ” 
and he laughed long and loud at his own brutal 
wit. 

Whatever hope of fair treatment the captured 
patriots still cherished disappeared as they were 
now handed over to the charge of this heartless 
officer ; and with heart despair added to their 
mental anguish and bodily suffering they clam- 
bered as quickly as their strength would per- 
mit over the gunwale of the sloop and along its 
deck to the main hatch, through which they 
were crowded into the dark and stifling hold. 

It was a long, narrow room, extending from 
the bow of the vessel to the midships, and with- 
in it a Are had been kindled which added both 
heat and smoke to the natural closeness of the 
place. As the weather was not cold there can be 
little question that the arrangement was pur- 
posely designed by the Tory captain to increase 
the sufferings of the imprisoned men. This is 
all the more apparent also from his next act. 


PRISONERS. 


205 


Scarcely were the patriots within the hold when 
he ordered the hatchway covered making the 
darkness more dense, and the air so stifling it 
was hard work to breathe. 

For a time the prisoners bore the heat and 
suffocation, and then they clustered about the 
closed hatch where they pounded and screamed 
until the cover was lifted, and an angry voice 
demanded : 

“ What is all this row about ? ” 

“For heaven’s sake kill us outright,” was the 
answer, “ but do not smother us in this place. 
If we must remain here give us light enough to 
see, and air enough to breathe.” 

There was some cursing and swearing, but 
finally the hatch was left half off, and an order 
was issued for the Continentals to be allowed 
to come on deck in twos during the night, each 
pair to remain a half hour in the open air under 
a strong guard. 

It was about midnight when Sergeant Avery’s 
and Halsey Sanford’s turn came, for the kind 
subaltern had insisted that the suffering lad 
should be his companion during his half hour 


206 


A BRAVE DEFENSE. 


sojourn on deck. It was soon evident, too, 
that he had a special reason for this insistence ; 
since he had not been long on deck before he 
asked the sentinels for the privilege of dressing 
the boy’s wounds. With a grunt of indiffer- 
ence they signified that the sergeant could do as 
he pleased, and tearing off some strips from his 
own shirt the soldier, as gently and deftly as a 
woman, cared for his injured comrade; and 
when they returned to the prison pen Halsey 
was able to sink into a refreshing sleep. 

Before morning the motion of the sloop told 
that she was under way, and the men who hap- 
pened to be taking their outing at the time re- 
ported on their return to the hold that the 
whole fleet was moving across and up the sound, 
apparently bound for New York. 

But the imprisoned men soon knew that the 
passage was to be a slow one, and one that was 
to carry in its wake much ruin and sorrow to 
the Long Island shores. From Southhold to 
Huntington a storm of destruction was now to 
burst on peaceful homes and defenseless cit- 
izens; to them, for three days and nights, the 


PRISONERS. 


207 


days were to be days of devastation and tbe 
nights, nights of terror. 

Great, however, as this woe was a bitterer 
woe was the portion of the men pent up in the 
hold of that sloop of war over which a monster 
in human form had control. For twenty-four 
hours after their confinement not a mouthful of 
food or a drop of water was given them ; and 
then only a mess made of hog’s brains, which 
the captors had obtained at Groton with other 
plunder, was served out to them. While for 
the three days they remained in the clutches of 
the inhuman Tory they had nothing to eat or 
drink which they could swallow without nausea. 

For forty-eight hours the penned-up patriots 
endured this maltreatment, but as the third 
night approached it was whispered through the 
hold that an attempt was to be made to cut a 
passage through the partition amidships in the 
hope of finding food and water, if not a way of 
escape. 

A few of the prisoners were in possession of 
pocket knives, and, distributing these among the 
strongest men, the long and tiresome task was 


208 


A BRAVE DEFENSE. 


begun soon after sundown. Spelling each other 
every few minutes, the workers toiled slowly 
and noiselessly on until after midnight, when 
the announcement was made that a plank had 
been cut away, and the discovery made that the 
adjacent apartment contained empty muskets. 

Sergeant Avery had not only been a leader 
in the movement, but was the person who 
crawled through the opening and reported the 
finding of the weapons. Keturning to his com- 
rades a moment later, he exclaimed in an im- 
pressive whisper : 

“We must arm ourselves, lads, and seize the 
vessel ! ” 

“ But we have no ammunition,” objected some 
one. 

“ It would be useless if we had it,” the officer 
retorted. “ It is to be presumed that the sloop 
is at anchor somewhere near the other vessels 
of the fleet. We must capture her, therefore, 
without firing a gun; and then, slipping the 
cable, make off in the darkness. The empty 
weapons all have bayonets and can be used as 
clubs and knives for a silent but effective work. 


PRISONERS. 


209 


We must outnumber the crew on the deck twice 
over, and ought to accomplish the feat with a 
little skiKul management.” 

“ But what if we should fail ? ” questioned 
several. 

“ I had rather die in the attempt,” answered 
the brave subaltern, “ than to submit longer to 
the treatment we are receiving here.” 

‘‘ So had I ! So had I ! ” cried a dozen. 

“Then we’ll try it,” the sergeant declared 
firmly. “Halsey,” he added to the lad who 
stood near him, “ will you go to the hatchway 
and reconnoiter while we perfect our plans ? ” 

Silently the boy, whose wounds, notwith- 
standing his confinement and irregular and poor 
fare, were healing finely, stole off to the duty 
assigned him, leaving his comrades to complete 
the details of the daring plot which would mean 
for all either death or freedom. 

Reaching the top round of the ladder he for 
a minute or two held his ear close to the half 
open hatch listening for the steps of the sentinels 
whom he knew were stationed near by. Not a 
sound reached his ear, and he ventured to lift 
14 


210 


A BRAVE DEFENSE. 


his head high enough through the opening to 
look up and down the deck. 

It was very dark ; a southeastern wind was 
blowing, and the air felt damp with a coming 
rain. But dark as it was it was not as thick 
as the gloom of the hold, and he was able to 
discern objects some distance away. He soon 
saw that the two sentinels were crouching in 
the lee of the furled sail, and appeared to be 
dozing ; that there was a third man forward, 
probably the lookout ; and two men on the 
quarterdeck. In all there were but five of the 
crew in charge of the vessel, and they seemed 
careless and unsuspicious. So far then as they 
were concerned it looked like an easy task to 
overpower them, and obtain control of the 
sloop. 

He now glanced over the low gunwales of the 
craft to the right and the left. He could see 
here and there the lights of the neighboring 
ships, and certainly they were far enough away 
for the capturers of the sloop to slip ofi: in the 
darkness unobserved. He was certain, there- 
fore, that there never could have been a more 


PRISONERS. 


211 


opportune moment than the present for carrying 
out the sergeant’s bold scheme. 

Withdrawing his head, he hastened down the 
ladder to report the favorable situation to the 
waiting officer and his comrades. On his way 
to the place where the subaltern was he passed 
a group of the prisoners, who were gathered 
closely together and engaged in an earnest 
though subdued conversation. He thought 
nothing of the fact, however, and did not pause 
either to listen to their conversation, or to watch 
their movements. He never knew whether one 
of them purposely betrayed the daring plot 
nearly ready for execution, or whether they un- 
consciously talked loud enough to be overheard 
on the deck. But in some mysterious way, be- 
fore he had finished his report of the favorable 
condition of things for the cajpture of the vessel, 
the whole scheme was apparently discovered 
and steps taken to frustrate it. For like a flash 
the hatchway was closed, and all were shutdown 
there in the stifling heat and impenetrable dark- 
ness ; then there was a call of all hands to arms ; 
and the deck was soon heavy with the tramp of 


212 


A BRAVE DEFENSE. 


rushing feet. In contrast the stillness in the 
hold was profound ; it was like the hush which 
precedes the coming storm, or which forebodes 
some terrible disaster. 


OLD ACQUAINTANCES. 


213 


CHAPTER XVIIL 

OLD ACQUAINTANCES. 

There was an hour or more of dread waiting ; 
then the hatch was again uncovered, and the 
stern command given : 

‘‘ Prisoners on deck, one at a time ! If any 
attempt is made to come together you will be 
shot down.” 

For an instant there was a perceptible hesita- 
tion on the part of each to be the first one to 
obey the order, for no one knew what was in 
store for them. 

‘‘ I led the way in our work over there,” Ser- 
geant Avery at length said, and nodding his 
head towards the midships ; “ and it is no more 
than fair that I should lead the way now,” and 
he walked over to the ladder, which he quickly 
ascended. 

The next moment he was seized, and his arms 


214 


A BRAVE DEFENSE. 


pinioned behind him with stout ropes. Each 
one as he followed was served in the same way, 
and finally all were bound and huddled to- 
gether in a bunch on the bow of the sloop. 

There they were kept until the first rays of the 
morning light enabled Captain Thomas to signal 
a fourteen gun brig lying no great distance away 
to send over her boats. His request was com- 
plied with, and in a short time six yawls or cut- 
ters came alongside. 

“ Tumble in ! Tumble in ! ” was the immedi- 
ate order. 

But for men who could not use their hands 
this was not an easy task. The bulwarks of the 
sloop were three feet above her deck, and then 
it was six feet down to her water line. The 
water, too, was already quite rough, for the 
southeast wind was steadily increasing, and the 
light craft into which they were to enter danced 
and tossed like cockle shells. 

Driven before the point of the bayonet, how- 
ever, there was but one alternative ; and as best 
he could each one tumbled down into the yawls, 
where he was made to lie down under the seats 


OLD ACQUAINTANCES. 215 

on which the rowers sat as though brutes about 
to be slaughtered. 

Once at the brig they were unceremoniously 
hustled on board, and commanded to form into 
a single line with their backs against the bul- 
warks. Then a long spar was brought and 
fastened in front of them in such a way as to 
leave about one foot of space for each man to 
stand in ; after which a score or more of armed 
sentries were stationed before them with orders 
to bayonet or shoot any one who offered to 
move. 

In this motionless position they were kept for 
several hours. Meantime the rain, which had 
so long been threatening, began to fall, soon 
drenching their thin clothing, and chilling them 
to the bones. At length their unhappy plight 
seemed to appeal to the captain of the brig, and 
they Avere released from the spar and their 
bonds, and permitted to go about the main deck ; 
but no food or drink was issued to them for 
that day, and their only bed was the Avet, hard 
planking of the ship Avithout protection of any 
kind from the inclement weather. 


216 


A BRAVE DEFENSE. 


For the day and night that now followed they 
were the most miserable of men, but on the 
clearing of the storm they found their situation 
a great improvement over the dark and stifling 
hold of the sloop they had so recently left. 
There was plenty of fresh air ; the sun was 
warm and comforting ; and their food, though 
irregularly and scantily supplied, was palatable, 
nor were they the victims of a petty spite as 
they had been when under the control of the 
Tory captain. 

On the fourth day after they had been trans- 
ferred to the brig she weighed anchor, and, 
leaving Whitestone where she had been lying, 
sailed for New York. There the prisoners were 
sent on board a large ship, in command of a 
Captain Scott, who showed them the first real 
kindness they had received since their capture. 
He not only spoke kindly to them himself, but 
compelled his men to treat them civilly at all 
times ; their food though coarse and unvarying 
was abundant and wholesome ; and they were 
allowed regular hours for exercise in the open 
air. The old officer evidently regarded them as 


OLD ACQUAINTANCES. 


217 


men, for he treated them as men ; and it was 
with real sorrow on their part that they, about 
a week later, were by an order from General 
Clinton removed from his ship and confined in 
the Sugar House, a huge building which had for 
a long time been used as a prison pen, and was 
already filled with prisoners from all the sur- 
rounding colonies. 

Halsey Sanford, who under the human treat- 
ment he had received from Captain Scott was 
nearly well, gave a deep sigh as he entered the 
dark and forbidding building, and was led up 
a rickety stairway to the second floor, where he 
and nine of his old comrades were thrust into a 
small room already overcrowded with captives. 
The air was foul from improper ventilation, and 
the room filthy from long use. The faces of the 
men who had long been confined there were 
wan and thin, their clothing was dilapidated, 
and their eyes haunted with a look which bor- 
dered on despair. 

Yet as they crowded around the new-comers, 
eager to learn who they were, and what tidings 
they brought of the cause, it was evident the 


^18 A BRAVE DEFENSE. 

fire of an unquenchable patriotism was still 
burning in their souls. Deplorable as their 
situation was, not one of them would have pur- 
chased his freedom if the price were the betrayal 
of his country. 

Scarcely had the lad noted his surroundings, 
however, when a voice out of the throng cried : 

“ Halsey ! Halsey ! If I live, it is Halsey 
Sanford,” and in another minute Levi Dart, 
thinner than ever, but in other respects the same 
irrepressible and complacent Levi, picked his 
way past the others, and caught hold of the 
boy’s hand. 

Off in the corner which young Dart counted 
his own special quarters the two friends were soon 
seated, and telling their experiences since they 
parted from each other at Fort Trumbull. Halsey 
had the longer and the sadder story to relate. 

“ So Daniel Williams and Tom Avery were 
killed,” Levi commented when his comrade was 
done. ‘‘ They were brave young fellows ; but 
what of Tom Mallison and William Latham ? 
You have not mentioned them.” 

“ It is because I do not know what happened 


OLD ACQUAINTANCES. ^19 

to them,” his companion replied. “ They were 
not among the prisoners, and so must have either 
been seriously wounded or killed. So far as 1 
know no one in the fort escaped.” 

“ I haven’t much of a story beside yours,” 
Dart now remarked with a tone which seemed 
to imply that it was a matter of profound re- 
gret. “If I had been killed, or wounded, or 
even taken prisoner while in a fight, I should 
have something woi’th your hearing ; but to be 
caught by the redcoats in a place where I 
couldn’t even run away, was about as mean a 
fix as a man could be in,” and he briefly sketched 
his haps and mishaps up to his re-capture. Then 
he added : 

“ I was sent down the harbor to the frigate 
Amphion, the flag shijD of the fleet, under the 
command of Captain Beazley, where I was put 
into the hold with my old comrades, and a 
dozen other prisoners who had been picked up 
around New London. They did not feed us on 
roast turkey and pumpkin pie, nor give us coffee 
or sweet cider. Still we weren’t starved or 
abused as you fellows were, and I’d rather now 


A BRAVE DEFENSE. 

be back there on that vessel than in this foul 
room. I shoudn’t blame dad’s hogs if they 
kicked against this unhealthy place. But here ! 
you must squeeze in next to me, and share my 
quarters. I’m a trifle thinner than I was, and 
by lying down edgeways I reckon I can make 
room for you.” 

“ I certainly shall make the effort,” Halsey 
responded with a laugh. He knew the dry 
humor of his friend would go far to relieve the 
dismalness of that prison pen, and be the only 
bit of real sunshine he was likely to see for 
many a day. 

But as the days wore slowly on even Levi’s 
irrepressible spirits could not wholly break up 
the monotony and dreariness of their surround- 
ings. Scanty fare, foul air, the filthiness of their 
quarters which they could in no way prevent, 
the sick and the dying men about them, these 
all tended to produce a dejection which even 
their youth and natural buoyancy could not 
throw off. 

“ I almost wish this old building would catch 
afire,” Halsey exclaimed one day. “ I am 


OLD ACQUAINTANCES. 


221 


ready for anything that will give us a change 
from this everlasting sameness ! ” 

“ Well, there comes a change,” drawled Levi, 
nodding towards the door of the room, which 
at that moment swung open. “ What do you 
suppose he is here for ? ” 

His friend looked towards the entrance and 
beheld to his astonishment the familiar face of 
the Tory, James Tilley. 

An officer, wearing the uniform of a major, 
accompanied him, and together they passed 
down the room scanning every face. 

‘‘ Oh ! there they are ! ” Master Tilley sud- 
denly exclaimed, and pointing over towards the 
corner where the two lads were. It was evident 
the man was in search of them, and wondering 
what he could want of them, the boys arose to 
their feet, and awaited his approach. 

Yes, it is Sanford and Dart,” he cried a 
moment later with evident exultation. “ I said 
I’d find them if it took me a month to do it. 
Well, youngsters, how do you like your quar- 
ters ? ” and there was mockery and t^ntalizatioa 
in his tones, 


222 


A BRAVE DEFENSE. 


‘‘We have seen better,” Levi returned dryly. 

“ I reckon so ! I reckon so ! ” was the re- 
sponse ; and the speaker rubbed his hands as 
though he enjoyed the admission. Then he 
continued with a grin : 

“ You didn’t find me when you and Captain 
Shapley came out to Henry Beckwith’s, did 
ye?" 

“ It is well we did not,” retorted young Dart. 
“ You would now be in a worse fix than we are, 
had we got hold of you.” 

“ But not a worse one than you fellows will 
soon be in,” the Tory screamed, and there was 
menace in his words. Then, as though he was 
forgetting himself, his mood changed. 

“ What would you give to know where I 
was that night ? ” he asked, and laughing as 
though the question afforded him much merri- 
ment. 

“ Where were you ? ” asked Halsey Sanford, 
speaking for the first time. 

“ Down in the glen where you overheard me 
talking to Beckwith,” he explained. “ You see, 
Beckwith’s little boy caught sight of you when 


OLD ACQUAINTANCES. 


223 


you left the gorge, and with big bulging eyes 
ran into the house saying : ‘ Papa, two soldiers 
have just come out of the woods with their 
guns. Do you suppose they are looking for 
you and Master Tilley?’ We immediately 
went up-stairs, and from an east window saw 
you and your comrade before you turned the 
corner in the road. I at once recognized you 
as the youngsters who had crossed the ferry 
with me, and who were bound for Fort 
Trumbull. Suspecting that you had overheard 
our conversation, and would report it to Captain 
Shapley, we laid our plans to outwit you. Just 
before dark I mounted my horse and rode off 
towards the town. That was done to deceive 
Mistress Beckwith. Then I went around to the 
glen, where I remained concealed until your 
search was over, when I went back to the 
house.” 

“ Captain Shapley ought to have listened to 
me, and made a second trip back to the farm 
that night,” Levi here interrupted. “ We’d 
have had you then sure.” 

As though he had now accomplished his pur- 


224 : 


A BRAVE DEFENSE. 


pose the humor of the Tory again changed. 
His exultation turned to anger, his mockery to 
triumph. 

“Major,” he cried, addressing his comrade, 
“ you hear these lads ; by their own words they 
admit that they are guilty of the charge I now 
in your presence prefer against them : that of 
obtaining important information by stealth, and 
communicating it to the enemy. What matters 
it that it was of little use to the rebels, the 
crime is as great ; they are spies, and deserve 
the fate of all spies.” 

The boys, who had been more amused than 
frightened by what they regarded as the rant- 
ings of a hot-headed and irascible Tory, were 
now a little startled to hear the officer reply : 

“ Nothing can be clearer. Master Tilley, and 
I’ll send a squad of soldiers at once to place 
them in solitary confinement until they can be 
tried and condemned.” 

He then turned to depart, but was detained 
by young Sanford, who strode before him, and 
addressed him with flashing eyes : 

“ Sir, if this charge be true,” he said, “ I alono 


OLD ACQUAINTANCES. 


225 


am guilty. It was Daniel Williams who was 
with me in that gle^, and not Levi Dart. He 
made no report to Captain Shapley, and knew 
nothing about the information we had obtained, 
until that officer told him. Let him go.” 

“ Dart aided and abetted the report,” Master 
Tilley vociferated, jumping up and down in his 
excitement. 

“ I am just as much a spy as Halsey is,” Levi 
protested. ‘‘ If one is to be tried, let us go to- 
gether.” 

Oh ! you needn’t fight about the honor,” 
answered the major with a wicked leer. ‘‘ You 
are both equally guilty, and shall hang to- 
gether ; ” and with the cruel words he took his 
departure. 

Five minutes later a corporal’s guard came 
and conducted the lads to a dark dungeon under 
the building, where they were thrust to await 
their trial on a charge which, if sustained, meant 
a shameful death. 

15 


226 


A BRAVE DEFENSE. 


CHAPTER XIX. 

A HAZARDOUS UNDERTAKING. 

As soon as Thomas Mallison and William 
Latham had put out the fuse in the magazine 
and the flames in the barracks, they returned to 
their wounded friend. i ’ 

“ The fort is saved, comrade,” Tom an- 
nounced, “ and now William and I will carry 
you to the nearest house.” 

“Can you do so without danger to your- 
selves ? ” the sturdy patriot asked. “ I would 
not have you run any risk of capture by stop- 
ping to help me.” 

Mallison laughed. 

“ As though we would desert you in the face 
of a thousand redcoats,” he said. “ Is that the 
stuff you are made of, Elisha ? Do give us 
then the credit for a tithe of your own pluck ! 
But the fact is the Britishers are all down in 


A HAZARDOUS UNDERTAKING. 227 

the lower part of the village, and we can take 
you out of the north gate and over to Joshua 
Baker’s house without any danger of discovery.” 

With these- words he brought one of the 
improvised stretchers the enemy had used for 
their own wounded and dead, and gently laid the 
soldier upon it. Then WTlliam and he took 
up their load, and started across the fields. 

The distance was not great, and they were 
seen by Mistress Baker before they reached the 
dwelling. Meeting them at the door she asked 
anxiously : 

“ Is that Joshua ? Is he dead ? ” 

“ It is not your husband, good Mistress 
Baker,” William Latham, who knew" her well, 
replied ; “ but Elisha Morgan, who though 
wounded has succeeded in eluding the Britishers. 
We knew not w"here else to take him and so 
have brought him here.” 

“ That is right,” she responded promptly. 
‘‘ Bring him in and lay him on my own bed. 
He must have a serious wound indeed if I can 
not nurse him back to health, and send him home 
to his loved ones.” 


228 


A BRAVE DEFENSE. 


The lads followed her into the house and 
laid their companion down upon a bed as soft 
and inviting as it was spotlessly clean. Then 
the good woman, old enough to be the mother 
of the wounded soldier, deftly went to work to 
learn the extent of his injuries. Tom assisted 
her in the task, and a careful examination re- 
vealed but one wound, and that not a serious 
one, though it had bled profusely and greatly 
weakened its possessor. 

Quickly staunching the flow of blood, and 
binding the hurt in soft linen, Mistress Baker 
said: 

‘‘ There ! Master Morgan’s own mother 
couldn’t have done better, if I do say it. 'Now 
I’ll get the young man some nourishing broth, 
and then he can go to sleep as soon as he 
pleases.” 

“ Once out of the room her cheerfulness turned 
to anxiety again as she inquired in a low voice 
of her guests : 

‘‘ Can not you tell me something of my hus- 
band ? I am prepared to hear the worst, for I 
have watched the terrible work at the fort 


A HAZARDOUS UNDERTAKING. 229 

from an upper window all day. Spare me not, 
I beseech you. There are many widows in 
Groton to-night, and I fear that I am one.” 

‘‘ Nay, Mistress Baker, it is not so,” William 
Latham declared. “ Others may count their 
dead, but you are spared that sorrow. I saw 
Joshua Baker myself in the squad of prisoners 
who were marched down to the riv^er to be sent 
on board the transports.” 

“ While there is life, there is always hope,” 
she said with a heavy sigh. “ I will patiently 
wait and pray for his return ; and now that I 
know that I am so favored I will hasten to help 
and comfort those who have suffered more.” 
Then she asked : “ Have you lads had anything 
to eat to-day ? ” 

“ Not since yesterday noon, good Mistress,” 
they admitted ; “ but what is deprivation of 
food at such a time as this ? ” 

“ It means the loss of much needed strength,” 
she answered, hastening towards her pantry. 

The boys were seated at her table, partaking 
of a bountiful repast before the good woman 
spoke again ; then she surprised Tom by asking : 


230 


A BRAVE DEFENSE. 


“ Are not you the young man who just as the 
battle began rode up to the fort on horseback 
and, abandoning the animal, clambered over the 
parapet ? ” 

“ Yes, Mistress Baker,” he admitted. 

‘‘I saw you,” she explained, “ and watched your 
steed. He wandered into our pasture, where I 
caught him and put him into the barn. You 
will find him there when you want him.” 

“ Thank you, good Mistress,” the lad exclaimed 
joyfully. “ He belongs to Governor Trumbull, 
and I should hate to lose him,” and briefly he 
related how he came to have the animal. 
“ Later I will call for him, and return him to 
his owner,” he concluded. 

“ He is safe until you come for him,” she said. 
“ But will not you and William remain here to- 
night ? His mother and the younger children 
were sent over to Poquonoc Plains early this 
morning, as I happen to know, and where his 

” then she stopped as though unwilling to 

finish the sentence. 

“ And where my father is — whether living or 
dead — we do not know,” the boy went on, 


A HAZARDOUS UNDERTAKING. 231 

bravely finishing the sentence for her. Then 
he looked over towards his comrade, and waited 
for him to make some reply to Mistress Baker’s 
kind invitation. 

“ As long as the British remain in town,” Tom 
remarked thoughtfully, I think it best to keep 
watch of them. Of course William and I can 
not do much alone, but we may now and then 
have the opportunity to help a friend as we 
have helped Elisha. But this we will do with 
your permission, Mistress Baker : When our 
vigil is ended we will come to your barn, and 
find a bed in the hay for the sleep which by 
that time we shall stand sadly in need of ; ” and 
then, thanking their hostess for her kindness, 
the lads took their hats, and hurried off 
through the fast-gathering darkness towards 
the river. 

Keeping out of the glare of the burning 
buildings, they reached the vicinity of the ferry 
to find that the prisoners had already been sent 
on board the transports, and that the British 
troops were now slowly embarking. But it was 
nearly midnight before the last squad had 


232 


A BRAVE DEFENSE. 


departed and the shore was again free from the 
cruel invader. 

During all this time the two boys sat where 
they could watch the withdrawal of the redcoats, 
and when the last boat shoved off they could 
scarcely refrain from cheering. Waiting only 
until the yawls had disappeared in the darkness, 
they hurried up the main street, now destitute 
of more than half its buildings, looking on every 
side for opportunities to aid their friends ; but 
they found no one astir — a hush, that of terror 
or of despair, brooded over the whole village. 

“ We may as well go back to Mistress Baker’s 
barn, and turn in,” William at length said, and 
with difficulty suppressing a yawn. 

“ We will go,” Tom answered, feeling the need 
of sleep quite as much as his younger companion ; 
and in five minutes more they had reached the 
stable, where they stretched themselves out upon 
the fragrant hay, and almost instantly dropped 
into a sound and refreshing slumber. 

The sun had been up some time when they 
were aroused by the voice of Mistress Baker. 

“ I have called you, lads,” she said, “ because 


A HALARDOUS UNDERTAKING. 233 

your breakfast is ready ; then, too, I thought you 
would wish to help those who are already coming 
in from the country looking for their wounded 
and dead.” 

“We shall be needed,” they replied, and fol- 
lowed her to the house. 

While they were eating the good woman told 
them that their wounded comrade had passed 
a very comfortable night. “ He is young and 
strong, and will soon recover. How thankful 
his mother will be, and she can be with him and 
minister to him, which is more than some of the 
rest of us can do for our loved ones,” she re- 
marked with a heavy sigh, and the listeners 
knew she was thinking of her absent husband. 

They did not know how to comfort her, for, 
already familiar through report with the hor- 
rors of the prison ship, they knew that in many 
instances not merely wounds, but death itself 
was preferable to its hardships and sufferings. 
In silence, therefore, they finished their meal, 
and then, again thanking their hostess for her 
hospitalities, they started for the fort. 

No words can adequately describe the incb 


234 


A BRAVE DEFENSE. 


dents of that day. Few are the times in human 
history that a community has been plunged into 
such universal woe. Fathers and mothers, 
brothers and sisters, wives and children, came 
hurrying in from all the surrounding towns seek- 
ing to know the fate of the loved ones they had 
parted with, in many cases, but the day before. 
For the greater number there was nothing but 
sorrow ; for some a sorrow mingled with joy ; 
while for a few only was there a joy without a 
cloud. 

As rapidly as possible the wounded were 
sought out and cared for ; more slowly the 
dead were identified and borne away ; and when 
night came the field of carnage had been cleared, 
but not forgotten. That sacred spot on which 
those heroic lives had been given up was to be 
memorable for all time. 

Since they had escaped both the battle and 
the massacre without a scratch, 'William Latham 
and Thomas Mallison felt a double obligation 
resting upon them to do all they were able for 
their less fortunate comrades, and throughout 
that day none labored more faithfully or in- 


A HAZARDOUS UNDERTAKING. 235 

cessantly than they. When night came they 
stood together on the ramparts of the deserted 
fortification, looking off across the river upon 
the burned city. 

“We have not been over there yet,” Tom 
finally said ; “ let us go over to-morrow.” 

His companion consented, and then they left 
the garrison and went down the hill towards 
the home of young Latham. 

As they approached the dwelling the younger 
lad said : 

“ I know of no one who ought to be more 
thankful to-night than myself. My father, 
though badly wounded, will recover ; my home, 
though scorched and blackened, was not des- 
troyed ; while I am unhurt. How unlike many 
others right around us ! I can count twenty 
houses in sight of here in which some one is 
lying dead.” 

“ You indeed have much to praise God for,” 
his friend admitted reverently, “ and Mistress 
Latham can rejoice to-night that she has both 
husband and son.” 

He was silent a moment, and then he went on : 


236 


A BRAVE DEFENSE. 


“ Shall I tell you what my thought has been 
all day ? It is this : Why was I, who have no 
father or mother to miss me, no brother or sister 
to weep over my grave , so singularly spared, 
when others, who had all those relatives to 
mourn them, perished ? It is a mystery ; yet I 
am profoundly thankful for the life which has 
been so providentially preserved ; and I have 
entered a vow that I will stop at nothing which 
will be of service to cause or comrade.” 

They were now at the threshold, on which 
Mistress Latham herself stood, waiting -to greet 
them. 

“ My brave boys ! ” she said, welcoming them 
with equal warmth. Then she continued : 

“ Captain Latham wishes to see you. Master 
Mallison,” and she led the way to his chamber. 

The wounded officer raised himself a trifle 
from the pillow as the lad was announced, 
saying : 

“ It is no time now, Tom, to speak of your 
good services yesterday. That will come later. 
I sent for you to put you in charge of the fort. 
Not a single officer, warrant or commissioned, is 


A HAZARDOUS UNDERTAKING. 237 

in a condition to report for duty. I appoint 
you acting sergeant, therefore, and desire you 
to take command at the garrison until further 
orders. Call in the few surviving members who 
are able to serve, enlist enough more to take 
proper care of the property in the fortification 
and put it in a condition for service ; ” and then 
he dropped back exhausted. 

^‘All right, sir,” the young soldier replied, 
and, leaving the room, he began his assigned 
duties immediately. 

These so engrossed his attention for several 
days, he forgot entirely the trip across the river 
which he had proposed to William. Early in 
the following week, however, he undertook it. 
Through the streets, whose black borders told 
of the fearful conflagration that had raged there, 
the two friends slowly walked, and out to Town 
Hill, where they paused to view the ruined city 
as a whole. 

“Death on one side; destruction on the 
other ; ” was Tom’s comment as they turned away. 

Before William could reply a voice from be- 
hind spoke up : 


238 


A BRAVE DEFENSE. 


‘‘You did what you could to prevent it, 
young man ! ” 

Whirling around Mallison saw the man who 
had been called Russell — one of the four Tories 
he had left in the hut in the woods. He had 
thought of the men several times since the bat- 
tle, but always with the feeling that they must 
have been able within a few hours to have re- 
leased themselves from their prison ; so he had 
given them no further consideration. 

Not quite sure now, however, what the fel- 
low’s unexpected appearance there might mean, 
he unconsciously nerved himself for a struggle, 
while he carelessly answered : 

“ I did what I could, sir.” 

“ Oh ! you needn’t get ready for another 
fight ! ” the man, who had detected the lad’s 
belligerent attitude, exclaimed with a hearty 
laugh. “ Williams and Turner haven’t got over 
nursing their heads yet where you knocked them 
together, and I ain’t hankering after any of that 
kind of treatment. Then a fair turn-about is 
always allowable in a time of war, and I ain’t 
even yet done laughing at the way you served 


A HAZARDOUS UNDERTAKING. 239 

US. I tell you we got hungry before we got out 
of that shanty.” 

The man was so thoroughly good-natured 
over the affair Tom himself could not help 
laughing. Then he asked : 

“ How long were you there ? ” 

“ All that day and night,” the man acknowl- 
edged with another laugh. ‘‘ You see we had 
nothing but our bare hands to work with, and 
first we tried the door, but that wouldn’t budge ; 
then we tried the shutters which the boss and 
I had closed, but we fixed them too well to 
start them, though we smashed every stool 
against them. By that time we were tired and 
discouraged and sat down to rest. 

“ After a time we tried the lean-to, but it was 
put there to stay ; then we began to dig under 
the walls, but struck roots and snags which tore 
our hands and used up the sticks we’d got from 
the broken chairs. By that time it was night 
and we went to bed. 

“The next morning early I tried the fire- 
place. In the course of an hour I had started 
a stone, and that chink was our first promise of 


240 A BRAVE DEFENSE. 

deliverance. But though we took turns at the 
work it was nine o’clock before we got out. 
None of us were in the best temper when we 
found our smashed guns, and we then and there 
came to a mutual understanding to say as little 
as possible about the incident. I never should 
have mentioned it to any one but you ; and I 
only do it now to let you know how proud I am 
of you. You are fit to be a general.” 

“ I don’t believe you are more than half a 
Tory at heart,” Tom exclaimed impulsively. 

Russell looked around. There was no one 
there but themselves ; and lowering his voice 
he said : 

“ I ain’t. I never was ; and this ‘ death on 
one side, and destruction on the other,’ as you 
call it, has knocked what little Toryism I did 
have clean out of me. I believe in fair play, 
and I blame Arnold and his whole crew. I’m 
now willing to pay for the rope that strings the 
traitor up, as sure as my name is Bill Russell.” 

Both lads shook hands with the speaker, for 
there was a sincerity in his tones they could not 
doubt, Then they set out on their return. 


A HAZARDOUS UNDERTAKING. 241 

It was not far from two weeks later when a 
stranger called at Fort Griswold and asked for 
Sergeant Mallison. When shown into the pres- 
ence of the young subaltern he said : 

“ My name is John Sanford.” 

“ Halsey’s brother,” cried Tom, shaking hands 
heartily with his caller. 

“ Tell me of Halsey ; how he fought ; how 
he fared ; all you know of him,” the visitor ex- 
claimed eagerly. 

Gladly Tom told of Halsey’s bravery and un- 
fortunate capture. 

Then John remarked : “ I heard of his mis- 
fortune a day or two after the attack, but was 
on a sick-bed until this week. Yesterday, how- 
ever, I left home having promised my mother 
I would nofc return as long as there was a 
chance of securing the lad’s release. You see, 
he took my place at Fort Trumbull, and I feel 
I owe him that much.” 

“ I understand your feelings,” his companion 
said with an approving nod. I should do that 
very thing if I were you.” 

“ I knew from what I had heard of you, that 

i6 


242 


A BRAVE DEFENSE. 


you’d feel that way,” John broke in, “ and — 
and that is why I came here. I want to ask 
you to go to New York with me, and help me 
to rescue the boy.” 

The request came so unexpectedly Tom was 
silent for a few minutes thinking the proposition 
over. Master Sanford mistook the reason for 
the silence, however, and continued sadly : 

“ I can’t blame you for not wanting to go. It 
is a dangerous piece of work. But a man who 
said his name was Bussell called at our house 
night before last on his way home from New 
York. He told me that Halsey and Levi Dart 
and a lot of others had been taken out of the 
prison ship and put into the Sugar House. 
Then he advised me to get you to help me rescue 
the lad. He said if anybody could pull the boy 
out from under the nose of General Clinton, 
you were the man. That is how I came 
here.” 

‘‘You misunderstood me,” interrupted young 
Mallison. “ I was so surprised at your request 
it took me a few minutes to think it over. Go ? 
Of course I’ll go, if Captain Latham will let me 


A HAZARDOUS UNDERTAKING. 243 

off ; and we’ll liberate Halsey if it is in the 
power of mortal men to do it.” 

Captain Latham, now able to sit up, gladly 
granted his young subaltern the necessary leave 
of absence ; and the next morning the two 
young men set out upon their hazardous and 
uncertain undertaking. 


244 : 


A BRAVE DEFENSE. 


CHAPTER XX. 

A SUCCESSFUL RUSE. 

On a briglit October morning a wagon loaded 
with vegetables, and drawn by a horse which 
seemed hardly equal to the task, was slowly 
wending its way about the streets of New York. 
Two youths, so countrified as to often provoke 
a smile from the passers-by, strode along, one 
on each side of the vehicle, occasionally shout- 
ing out their wares, and offering them at prices 
which secured a ready sale. 

Now and then a guard stopped them, and 
called for their permit ; whereupon, with evi- 
dent pride, they produced a paper signed by 
General Clinton himself, granting to Enos 
Smith and Jacob White, good and loyal subjects 
of the king, the privilege of entering the town 
three times each week to sell their products. 


A SUCCESSFUL RUSE. 


245 


The reading of the paper always resulted in the 
same act : It was returned to the hucksters ; 
usually with the comment : 

“ That is all right ! Fine vegetables you 
have there, comrades ! May you have good 
sales ! ” 

For two weeks now these same men had regu- 
larly appeared, sold out their load, visited the 
public house most frequented by the army officers 
for their dinner, and, in a manner which attracted 
no special attention, passed and re-passed the 
Sugar House prison. But no one knew that 
those innocent countrymen were Sergeant Mal- 
lison and John Sanford. 

So far, further -than to locate the building in 
which Halsey was confined, their mission had 
been fruitless. But on this particular day to 
which the attention of the reader has been called, 
they made a discovery that first filled them with 
consternation; and then suggested to them a 
way by which the object of their coming to the 
town might be achieved. It was Tom Mallison, 
or Enos Smith, as he now called himself, who 
overheard the conversation, and who proposed 


246 


A BRAVE DEFENSE. 


the plan which at length crowned their under- 
taking with success. 

He and his colleague had made a practise of 
separating after dinner — one to lounge about 
the streets, especially those in the vicinity of 
the prison house ; the other to remain in and 
about the tavern, listening for any bits of con- 
versation between the soldiers that might be 
helpful, or seeking the acquaintance of any 
officer who might have influence enough to ob- 
tain a pass for them into the jail. 

This time it fell to young Mallison’s lot to 
remain at the public house, and he had sauntered 
in and around the building for an hour without 
seeing any one whose acquaintance he thought 
it worth the while to cultivate, or whose con- 
versation he believed might prove worth hear- 
ing. Then a man stalked into the waiting- 
room, and inquired in a loud voice for Major 
Lemoine. 

“ He is in room 40, awaiting you, Master 
Tilley. I have orders to show you up imme- 
diately,” the innkeeper replied, bowing low be- 
fore his new guest ; and then he called a boy 


A SUCCESSFUL RUSE. 


247 


to show the newcomer to the chamber desig- 
nated. 

Tom knew the Tory by sight, and for some 
reason that he could never explain became sud- 
denly impressed with the idea that he ought to 
overhear the coming interview if possible. For- 
tune favored him ; following the visitor up- 
stairs, he managed to slip into a side passage until 
the servant had left him; then he boldly ap- 
proached the door of the room Master Tilley 
had entered, and reconnoitered. Only a sub- 
dued sound of voices reached him, and wonder- 
ing why he could not hear the men more plainly 
he peeked through the keyhole. Discovering 
by that act that there was an inner room into 
which the major and his guest had gone, he re- 
solved upon a bold stroke : he would go in 
himself. Softly lilting the latch, he pushed 
open the door, and went in. Walking across 
the floor with a noiseless tread to the next 
apartment, he listened again. The conversation 
now going on was perfectly audible, and, strange 
as it may seem, it was about Halsey Sanford 
and Levi Dart, whom the Tory was trying to 


248 


A BRAVE DEFENSE. 


find. Evidently it was no new subject between 
tbe two men, for the major was saying : 

“ Yes, I have located the fellows at last. 
They are in the northwest room, second floor, of 
the Sugar House. I will take you there at 
once and you can identify them. During your 
interview get Sanford to admit that he over- 
heard your conversation at New London, and 
reported it to his captain ; and get Dart to 
admit that he also knew of it when an effort 
was made to find and arrest you. That is all 
you will need ; those two things once acknowl- 
edged in my presence, the trial and condem- 
nation and hanging of the young rebels as spies 
are only a matter of course.” 

The talk was continued some time longer, but 
centered always about the same fact : that the 
Tory was seeking the lads to bring against 
them a charge which would secure their 
death. 

A movement on the part of the two schemers 
at this moment led the listener to hasten from 
the room, which he accomplished unobserved ; 
and when fifteen minutes later the major and 


A SUCCESSFUL RUSE. 


m 


the Tory visited the jail John Sanford and 
Tom Mallison, from different hiding-places, 
watched both their entrance and their exit ; and 
learned from the few words the two men spoke 
when parting on an adjacent street corner, that 
the boys had been found and placed in solitary 
confinement to await their trial. 

The youths who that afternoon rode out into 
the country in the rickety vegetable wagon were 
very unhappy ones. They did not fully un- 
derstand what information the Tory meant 
when he spoke of its having been discovered by 
Halsey and abetted in by Levi ; but Tom re- 
called the visit of the lads to Fort Griswold 
with Captain Shapley the day before the com- 
ing of the British, and he, therefore, was able 
to make a shrewd guess that it referred to that 
event. He also surmised that spite, on account 
of the loss of his IN’ew London property, lay at 
the bottom of Master Tilley’s accusation. But 
what puzzled him more than the nature of the 
information itself, was how to thwart the cruel 
man’s scheme. 

He and John were well aware that the trials 


250 


A BRAVE DEFENSE. 


accorded patriots wlio were accused of being 
spies were, as the British Major had intimated, 
a mere form. Whatever was to be done to save 
the imprisoned lads, must then be done the very 
next time their permit allowed them to visit the 
town — and that would be two days hence. 

Not until the night before the trip did Tom 
think of his plan which resulted so favorably 
for his friends. Then it came to him like an 
inspiration. He disclosed it to his comrade, 
who heartily endorsed it ; and together they 
arranged for its execution. 

Bright and early they made their start the 
next morning, and before ten o’clock had dis- 
posed of their load. Putting up their raw- 
boned steed in the tavern stable, they separated 
to obtain two important items of information : 
The first was about the imprisoned lads. 
Through a friendly soldier John learned that 
their trial had for some reason been postponed 
to the next week — a bit of news which gave 
him intense satisfaction. The other item was 
about the Tory. Through the innkeeper Tom 
ascertained that he resided with a friend who 



“general ARNOLD DESIRES YOUR PRESENCE AT ONCE IN THE CITY,” THE OFFICER 

BOLDLY ANNOUNCED.— Page S51. A BravQ Defense, 





















A SUCCESSFUL RUSE. 


251 


lived in the outskirts of the town, and near the 
bank of the Hudson River. 

The last information modified though it did 
not change their original plan ; and as the modi- 
fications required a little time for their arrange- 
ment, the two hucksters did not wait for their 
usual dinner at the tavern, but left at once for 
their temporary home. J ust after dark a strap- 
ping fellow in the uniform of a British soldier 
called at the dwelling of Master Tilley, and 
asked to see him immediately. He was in, and 
promptly granted the man an interview. 

“ General Arnold desires your presence at 
once in the city,” the fellow boldly announced. 

Have you a conveyance ? ” the Tory asked 
springing to his feet. 

“ A boat and boatman await us at the nearest 
landing,” the messenger replied. 

I will be ready in five minutes,” Master Til- 
ley declared, falling into the trap set for him. 

In the specified time . he was ready, and 
accompanied the soldier to the river, where they 
embarked in a stout yawl, pulled by a single 
oarsman. In the darkness, for the night was 


252 


A BRAVE DEFENSE. 


threatening, it was easy to lose one’s course, and 
before a great while the rower announced he 
had lost his bearings. 

It may have seemed strange to the passenger 
that he should rise, and step aft for the purpose 
of ascertaining his whereabouts, but before he 
could form any opinion about the movement, or 
decide he was in danger, two pair of stout 
arms had seized him, and thrown him into the 
bottom of the boat. In another minute he was 
bound and gagged, and his captors were pull- 
ing rapidly for the Jersey shore. 

In the house of a good patriot some miles 
west of the river the captive, about dawn, 
learned who bis captors were and why he had 
been taken. 

“ My brother, Halsey Sanford, and my com- 
rade, Levi Dart, lie in the Sugar House, New 
York, awaiting trial on a false charge preferred 
by you,” John Sanford said sternly, “ and you 
are taken as a hostage for them. What your 
record has been is well known, and you know 
how you are likely to fare when delivered at 
our headquarters. Now you have powerful 


A SUCCESSFUL RUSE. 


253 


friends among the British, and can bring about 
an exchange if you will. It is your only hope 
of escape.” 

A few days of confinement satisfied the Tory 
that his captors were right ; and about the time 
Lord Cornwallis surrendered at Yorktown the 
exchange was effected. Halsey and Levi were 
brought to the exchange camp at Elizabethport, 
and Master Tilley returned to New York in the 
yawl which had delivered them. 

It was some days before the liberated boys 
were strong enough to undertake the journey ; 
then they set out with John ‘and Tom for the 
long tramp home ; where they arrived in safety 
a few days later. 

There was no more active service for any of 
them, and from faithful soldiers they turned to a 
more quiet but no less exacting faithfulness in 
the peaceful walks of life. William Latham, 
Halsey Sanford, and Levi Dart all lived to a 
good old age, honored and respected by all. Of 
Thomas Mallison nothing is known. He a fe^v 
years after the exciting incidents at Groton 
Heights left his native town for the opening 


254 


A BRAVE DEFENSE. 


west. It is believed he lived but a short time ; 
where and when he died is a secret safely 
wrapped in the bosom of the vanishing years. 
But of the four lads who survived the horrors 
of that brave defense, as well as of the two who 
then yielded up their lives, may it be said, as it is 
written within the great shaft which marks the 
place and the deed : 

“ Zebulon and Napthali were a people that 
jeoparded their lives unto the death in the high 
places of the field.” 


THE END. 


A. L. BURT’S PUBLICATIONS 

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BY POPULAR WRITERS. 

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Bonnie Prince Charlie : A Tale of Fontenoy and Culloden. By 
G. A. Henty. With 12 full-page Illustrations by Gordon 
Browne. 12mo, cloth, price $1.00. 

The adventures of the son of a Scotch officer in French service. 
The boy, brought up by a Glasgow bailie, is arrested for aiding a 
Jacobite agent, escapes, is wrecked on the French coast, reaches 
Paris, and serves with the French army at Dettingen. He kills 
his father’s foe in a duel, and escaping to the coast, shares the 
adventures of Prince Charlie, but finally settles happily in Scot- 
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“Ronald, the hero, is very like the hero of ‘ Quentin Durward.’ The lad’s 
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With Clive in India ; or, the Beginnings of an Empire, By 
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The period between the landing of Clive as a young writer in 
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In this story Mr. Henty gives the history of the first part of the 
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largely composed of Scotchmen, and among these was the hero of 
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The Dragon and the Raven ; or, The Days of King Alfred. By 

G. A. Henty. With full-page Illustrations by C. J. Stani- 

LAND, R.I. 12mo, cloth, price $1.00. 

In this story the author gives an account of the fierce struggle 
between Saxon and Dane for supremacy in England, and presents 
a vivid picture of the misery and ruin to which the country was 
reduced by the ravages of the sea- wolves. The hero, a young 
Saxon thane, takes part in all the battles fought by King Alfred. 
He is driven from his home, takes to the sea and resists the Danes 
on their own element, and being pursued by them up the Seine, 
is present at the long and desperate siege of Paris. 

“ Treated in a manner most attractive to the boyish reader.” — Athenceum. 

The Young Carthaginian : A Story of the Times of Hannibal. 

By G. A. Henty. With full-page Illustrations by C. J. Stani- 

LAND, R.I. 12mo, cloth, price $1.00. 

Boys reading the history of the Punic Wars have seldom a keen 
appreciation of the merits of the contest. That it was at first a 
struggle for empire, and afterward for existence on the part of 
Carthage, that Hannibal was a great and skillful general, that he 
defeated the Romans at Trebia, Lake Trasimenus, and Cannae, 
and all but took Rome, represents pretty nearly the sum total of 
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“Well constructed and vividly told. From first to last nothing stays the 
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In Freedom’s Cause : A Story of Wallace and Bruce. ByG. A. 

Henty. With full-page Illustrations by Gordon Browne. 

12mo, cloth, price $1.00. 

In this story the author relates the stirring tale of the Scottish 
War of Independence. The extraordinary valor and personal 
prowess of Wallace and Bruce rival the deeds of the mythical 
heroes of chivalry, and indeed at one time Wallace was ranked 
with these legendary personages. The researches of modern 
historians have shown, however, that he was a living, breathing 
man — and'a valiant champion. The hero of the tale fought under 
both Wallace and Bruce, and while the strictest historical accuracy 
has been maintained with respect to public events, the work is 
full of “hairbreadth ’scapes ” and wild adventure. 

“ It is written in the author’s best style. Full of the wildest and mofl^ re- 
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With Lee in Virginia: A Story of the American Civil War. By 
G. A. Henty. With full-page Illustrations by Gordon 
Browne. i#mo, cloth, price $1.00. 

The story of a young Virginian planter, who, after bravely 
proving his sympathy with the slaves of brutal masters, serves 
with no less courage and enthusiasm under Lee and Jackson 
through the most exciting events of the struggle. He has many 
hairbreadth escapes, is seve’-al times wounded and twice taken 
prisoner; but his courage and readiness and, in two cases, the 
devotion of a black servant and of a runaway slave whom he had' 
assisted, bring him safely through all difficulties. 

“ One of the best stories for lads which Mr. Henty has yet written. The 
picture is full of life and color, and the stirring and romantic incidents are 
skillfully blended with the personal interest and charm of the story.”— 
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By England’s Aid ; or. The Freeing of the Netherlands (1585- 
1604) By G. A. Henty. With full-page Illustrations by 
Alfred Pearse, and Maps. 12mo, cloth, price $1.00. 

The story of two English lads who go to Holland as pages in 
the service of one of “ the fighting Veres.” After many adven- 
tures by sea and land, one of the lads finds himself on board a 
Spanish ship at the time of the defeat of the Armada, and escapes 
only to fall into the hands of the Corsairs. He is successful in 
getting back to Spain under the protection of a wealthy merchant, 
and regains his native country aher the capture of Cadiz. 

“ It is an admirable book for youngsters. It overflows with stirrirg inci- 
dent and exciting adventure, and the color of the era and of the sc^ne are 
flnely reproduced. The illustrations add to its attractiveness.”— .Posf on 
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By Right of Conquest ; or. With Cortez in Mexico. By G. A, 
Henty. With full-page Illustrations by W. S. Stacey, and 
Two Maps. 12mo, cloth, price $1.50. 

The conquest of Mexico by a small band of resolute men under 
tbe magnificent leadership of Cortez is always rightly ranked 
among the most romantic and daring exploits in history. With 
this as the groundwork of his story Mr. Henty has interwoven the 
adventures of an English youth, Roger Hawkshaw, the sole sur. 
vivor of the good ship Swan, which had sailed from a Devon port 
to challenge the mercantile supremacy of the Spaniards in the 
New World. He is beset by many perils among the natives, but 
is saved by his own judgment and strength, and by the devotion 
of an Aztec princess. At last by a ruse he obtains the protection 
of the Spaniards, and after the fall of Mexico he succeeds in re 
gaining his native shore, with a fortune and a charming Aztec 
bride. 

“ ‘ By Right of Conquest ’ is the nearest approach to a perfectly successful 
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In the Reign of Terror: The Adventures of a Westminster Boy. 
By G. A. Henty. With full-page Illustrations by J. Sch6n- 

BERG. 12mo, cloth, price $1.00. 

flarry Sand with, a Westminster boy. becomes a resident at the 
chateau of a French marquis, and after various adventures accom- 
panies the family to Paris at the crisis of the Revolution. Im- 
prisonment and death reduce their number, and the hero finds 
himself beset by perils with the three young daughters of the 
house in his charge. After hairbreadth escapes they reach Nan- 
tes. There the girls are condemned to death in the coflHn-ships, 
but are saved by the unfailing courage of their boy protector. 

“ Harry Sandwith, the Westminster boy, may fairly be said to beat Mr. 
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Review. 

With Wolfe in Canada ; or. The Winning of a Continent. By 

G. A. Henty. With full-page Illustrations by Gordon 

Browne. 12mo, cloth, price $1.00. 

In the present volume Mr. Henty gives an account of the strug- 
gle between Britain and France for supremacy in the North 
American continent. On the issue of this war depended not only 
the d(stinies of North America, but to a large extent those of the 
mother countries themselves. The fall of Quebec decided that 
the Anglo-Saxon race should predominate in the New World; 
that Britain, and not France, should take the lead among the 
nations of Europe; and that English and American commerce, the 
English language, and English literature, should spread right 
round the globe. 

“ It is not orly a lesson in history as instructively as it is graphically told, 
but also a deeply interesting and often thrilling tale of adventure and peril by 
flood and fieid.."— Illustrated London News. 


True to the Old Flag: A Tale of the American War of Inde- 
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Gordon Browne. 12mo, cloth, price $1.00. 

In this story the author has gone to the accounts of oflScers who 
took part in the conflict, and lads will find that in no war in which 
American and British soldiers have been engaged did they behave 
with greater courage and good conduct. The historical portion of 
the book being accompanied with numerous thrilling adventures 
with the redskins on the shores of Lake Huron, a story of exciting 
interest is interwoven with the general narrative and carried 
through the book. 


“ Does justice to the pluck and determination of the British soldiers during 
the unfortunate struggle against American emancipation. The son of an 
American loyalist, who remains true to our flag, falls among the hostile red- 
skins in that very Huron country which has been endeared to us by the ex 
ploits of Hawkeye and Chingachgook.”— 27ie Tme®. 


A. L, BURT’S PUBLICATIONS. 


5 


The Lion of St, Mark : A Tale of Venice in the Fourteenth 

Century. By G. A. Henty. With full-page Illustrations by 
Gordon Browne. 12mo, cloth, price $1.00. 

A story of Venice at a period when her strength and splendor 
were put to the severest tests. The hero displays a fine sense and 
manliness which carry him safely through an atmosphere of in- 
trigue, crime, and bloodshed. He contributes largely to the vic- 
tories of the Venetians at Porto d’Auzo and Chioggia, and finally 
wins the band of the daughter of one of the chief men of Venice. 

“ Every boy should read ‘ The Lion of St, Mark.’ Mr. Henty has never pro- 
duced a story more delightful, more wholesome, or more vivacious.”— Satwr 
day Review. 

A Final Reckoning: A Tale of Bush Life in Australia. By G. A 

Henty. With full-page Illustrations by W. B. WolleN- 

12mo, cloth, price $1.00, 

The hero, a young English lad. after rather a stormy boyhood 
emigrates to Australia, and gets employment as an officer in th«f 
mounted police. A few years of active work on the frontier, 
where he has many a brush with both natives and bushrangers, 
gain him promotion to a captaincy, and he eventually settle? 
down to the peaceful life of a squatter. 

“ Mr. Henty has never published a more readable, a more carefully con- 
structed, or a better written story than this.”— Specfafor. 

Under Drake’s Flag : A Tale of the Spanish Main. By G. A. 

Henty. With full-page Illustrations by Gordon Browne. 

12mo, cloth, price $1.00. 

A story of the days when England and Spain struggled for the 
supremacy of the sea. The heroes sail as lads with Drake in the 
Pacific expedition, and in his great voyage of circumnavigation. 
The historical portion of the story is absolutely to be relied upon, 
but this will perhaps be less attractive than the great variety of 
exciting adventure through which the young heroes pass in the 
course of their voyages. 

“ A book of adventure, where the hero meets with experience enough, one 
would think, to turn his hair gray.”— Harper’s Monthly Magazine. 

By Sheer Pluck : A Tale of the Ashanti War. By G. A, Henty. 

With full-page Illustrations by Gordon Browne. 12mo, 

cloth, price $1.00. 

The author has woven, in a tale of thrilling interest, all the de- 
tails of the Ashanti campaign, of which he was himself a witness. 
His hero, after many exciting adventures in the interior, is de- 
tained a prisoner by the king just before the outbreak of the war, 
but escapes, and accompanies the English expedition on their 
march to Coomassie. 

“ Mr. Henty keeps up his reputation as a writer of boys’ stories. * By Sheer 
fluck ’ wili be eagerly vQQd."-~Athen(jeunu 


e 


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By Pike and Dyke : A Tale of the Rise of the Dutch Republic 
By O. A. Henty. With full-page Illustrations by Maynard 
Brown, and 4 Maps. 12mo, cloth, price $1.00. 

In this story Mr. Henty traces the adventures and brave deeds 
of an English boy in thd household of the ablest man of his age — 
William the Silent. Edward Martin, the son of an English sea- 
captain, enters the service of the Prince as a volunteer, and is em- 
ployed by him in many dangerous and responsible missions, in the 
discharge of which he passes through the great sieges of the time. 
He ultimately settles down as Sir Edward Martin. 

“ Boys with a turn for historical research will be enchanted with the book, 
while the rest who only care for adventure^ will be students in spite of them* 
selves.”— /St. James' Gazette. 

St. George for England : A Tale of Cressy and Poitiers. By 
G. A. Henty. With full-page Illustrations by Gordon 
Browne. 12rao, cloth, price $1.00. 

No portion of English history is more crowded with great events 
than that of the reign of Edward III. Cressy and Poitiers; the 
destruction of the Spanish fleet; the plague of the Black Death; 
the Jacquerie rising; these are treated by the author in “ St. 
George for England.” The hero of the story, although of good 
family, begins life as a London apprentice, but after countless ad. 
ventures and perils becomes by valor and good conduct the squire, 
and at last the trusted friend of the Black Prince. 

“ Mr. Henty has developed for himself a type of historical novel for b(W8 
Which bids fair to supplement, on their behalf, the historical labors of Sir 
Walter Scott in the land of fiction.”— ITie Standard. 

Captain’s Kidd’s Gold : The True Story of an Adventurous Sailor 
Boy. By Jambs Franklin Fitts. 12mo, clotli, price $1.00. 
There is something fascinating to the average youth in the very 
idea of buried treasure. A vision arises before his eyes of swarthy 
Portuguese and Spanish rascals, with black beards and gleaming 
eyes — sinister-looking fellows who once on a time haunted the 
Spanish Main, sneaking out from some hidden creek in their loag, 
low schooner, of picaroonish rake and sheer, to attack an unsus- 
pecting trading craft. There were many famous sea rovers in 
their day, but none more celebrated than Capt. Kidd. Perhaps 
the most fascinating tale of all is Mr. Fitts’ true story of an adven- 
turous American boy, who receives from his dying father an 
ancient bit of vellum, which the latter obtained in a curious way. 
The document bears obscure directions purporting to locate a cer- 
tain island in the Bahama group, and a considerable treasure 
buried there by two of Kidd’s crew. The hero of this book, 
Paul Jones Garry, is an ambitious, persevering lad, of salt-water 
New England ancestry, and his efforts to reach the island and 
secure the money form one of the most absorbing tales for o>*» 
youth that has come from the press. ^ 


A. L. BURT’S PUBLICATIONS. 


1 


Captain Bayley’s Heir: A Tale of the Gold Fields of California 

By G. A. Henty. With full- page Illustrations by H. M. 

Paget. 12ino, cloth, price $1.00. 

A frank, manly lad and his cousin are rivals in the heirship'of a 
CO siderable property. The former falls into a trap laid by the 
latter, and while under a false accusation of theft foolishly leaves 
England for America. He works his passage before the mast, 
joins a small band of hunters, crosses a tract of country infested 
with Indians to the Californian gold diggings, and is successful 
both as digger and trader. 

“Mr. Henty is careful to mingle instruction with entertainmeLt; and the 
humorous touches, especially in the sketch of John Holl, the Westminster 
dustman, Dickens himself could hardly have excelled."'''— Christian Leader. 

For Name and Fame ; or. Through Afghan Passes. By G. A. 

Henty. With full-page Illustrations by Gokdon Browne. 

12mo, cloth, price $1.00. 

An interesting story of the last war in Afghanistan. The hero, 
after being wrecked and going through many stirring adventures 
among the Malays, finds his way to Calcutta and enlists in a regi- 
ment proceeding to join the army at the Afghan passes. He ac- 
companies the force under General Roberts to the Pei war Kotal, 
is wounded, taken prisoner, carried to Cabul, whence he is trans- 
ferred to Candahar, and takes part in the final defeat of the army 
of Ayoub Khan. 

“The best feature of the book— apart from the interest of its scenes of ad- 
venture— is its honest effort to do justice to the patriotism of the Afghan 
people.”— Daz'Zy News. 

Captured by Apes : The Wonderful Adventures of a Young 

Animal Trainer. By Harry Prentice. 12mo, cloth, $1.00. 

The scene of this tale is laid on an island in the Malay Archi- 
pelago. Philip Garland, a young animal collector and trainer, of 
New York, sets sail for Eastern seas in quest of a new stock of 
living curiosities. The vessel is wrecked off the coast of Borneo 
and young Garland, the sole survivor of the disaster, is cast ashore 
on a small island, and captured by the apes that overrun the 
place. The lad discovers that the ruling spirit of the monkey 
tribe is a gigantic and vicious baboon, whom he identifies as 
Goliah, an animal at one time in his possession and with whose 
instruction he had been especially diligent. The brute recognizes 
him, and with a kind of malignant satisfaction puts his former 
•master through the same course of training he had himself ex- 
perienced with a faithfulness of detail which shows how astonish- 
ing is monkey recollection. Very novel indeed is the way by 
which the young man escapes death. Mr. Prentice has certainly 
worked a new vein on juvenile fiction, and the ability with which 
he handles a difficult subject stamps him as a writer of undoubted 
skill. 


9 


A. L. BITRT’S publications. 


The Bravest of the Brave ; or, With Peterborough in Spain. 

By Q. A. Henty. With full-page Illustrations by H. M. 

Paget. 12mo, cloth, price $1.00. 

There are few great leaders whose lives and actions have so 
completely fallen into oblivion as those of the Earl of Peter- 
borough. This is largely due to the fact that they were over- 
shadowed by the glory and successes of Marlborough. His career 
as general extended over little more than a year, and yet, in that 
time, he showed a genius for warfare which has never been sur- 
passed. 

“Mr. Henty never loses sight of the moral purpose of his work— to enforce 
the doctrine of courage and truth. Lads will read ‘ The Bravest of the Brave * 
with pleasure and profit; of that we are quite sure."— Daily Telegraph. 

The Cat of Bubastes : A Story of Ancient Egypt. By G. A, 

Henty. With full-page Illustrations. 12mo, cloth, price $1.00. 

A story which will give young readers an unsurpassed insight 
into the customs of the Egyptian people. Amuba, a prince of the 
Rebu nation, is carried with his charioteer Jethro into slavery. 
They become inmates of the house of Ameres, the Egyptian high- 
priest, and are happy in his service until the priest’s son acci- 
dentally kills the sacred cat of Bubastes. In an outburst of popular 
fury Ameres is killed, and it rests with Jethro and Amuba to 
secure the escape of the high-priest’s son and daughter. 

“ The story, from the critical moment of the killing of the sacred cat to the 
perilous exodus into Asia with which it closes, is very skillfully constructed 
and full of exciting adventures. It is admirably illustrated.”— 

Review. 

With Washington at Monmouth : A Story of Three Phila- 
delphia Boys. By James Otis. 12mo, cloth, price $1.00. 

Three Philadelphia boys, Seth Graydon “ whose mother con- 
ducted a boarding-house which was patronized by the British 
officers;” Enoch Ball, “son of that Mrs. Ball whose dancing 
school was situated on Letitia Street,” and little Jacob, son of 
“ Chris, the Baker,” serve as the principal characters. The 
story is laid during the v/inter when Lord Howe held possession 
of the city, and the lads aid the cause by assisting the American 
spies who make regular and frequent visits from Valley Forge. 
One reads here of home-life in the captive city when bread was 
scarce among the people of the lower classes, and a reckless prodi- 
gality shown by the British officers, who passed the winter in 
feasting and merry-making while the members of the patriot army 
but a few miles away were suffering from both cold and hunger. 
The story abounds with pictures of Colonial life skillfully 
drawn, and the glimpses of Washington’s soldiers which are given 
show that the work has not been hastily done, or without con- 
siderable study. 


A. L. BURT’S PUBLICATIONS. 


9 


For the Temple: A Tale of the Fall of Jerusalem. By G. A. 
Henty. With full-page Illustrations by S. J. Solomon. 12mo, 
cloth, price $1.00. 

Mr. Henty here weaves into the record of Josephus an admirable 
and attractive story. The troubles in the district of Tiberias, the 
march of the legions, the sieges of Jotapata, of Gamala, and of 
Jerusalem, form the impressive and carefully studied historic 
setting to the figure of the lad who passes from the vineyard to 
the service of Josephus, becomes the leader of a guerrilla band of 
patriots, fights bravely for the Temple, and after a brief term of 
slavery at Alexandria, returns to his Galilean home with the favor 
of Titus. 

“ Mr. Henty ’s graphic prose pictures of the hopeless Jewish resistance to 
Roman sway add another leaf to his record of the famous wars of the world.” 
— Graphic. 

Facing Death ; or. The Hero of the Vaughan Pit. A Tale of 
the (’oal Mines. By G. A. Henty. With full-page Illustra- 
tions by Gordon Browne. 12mo, cloth, price $1.00. 

“Facing Death” is a story with a purpose. It is intended to 
show that a lad who makes up his mind firmly and resolutely that 
he will rise in life, and who is prepared to face toil and ridicule 
and hardship to carry out his determination, is sure to succeed. 
The hero of the story is a typical British boy, dogged, earnest, 
generous, and though “ shamefaced” to a degree, is ready to face 
death in the discharge of duty. 

“The tale is well written and well illustrated, and there is much reality in 
the characters. If any father, clergyman, or schoolmaster is on the lookout 
for a good book to give as a present to a boy who is worth his salt, this is the 
book we would recommend.”— Nfandard. 

Tom Temple’s Career. By Horatio Alger. 12mo, cloth, 
price $1.00. 

Tom Temple, a bright, self-reliant lad, by the death of his 
father becomes a boarder at the home of Nathan Middleton, a 
penurious insurance agent. Though well paid for keeping the 
boy, Nathan and his wife endeavor to bring Master Tom in line 
with their parsimonious habits. The lad ingeniously evades their 
efforts and revolutionizes the household. As Tom is heir to 
$40,000, he is regarded as a person of some importance until by 
an unfortunate combination of circumstances his fortune shrinks 
to a few hundreds. He leaves Plympton village to seek work in 
New York, whence he undertakes an important mission to Cali- 
fornia, around which center the most exciting incidents of his 
young career. Some of his adventures in the far west are so 
startling that the reader will scarcely close the book until the last 
page shall have been reached. The tale is written in Air. Alger’s 
most fascinating style, and is bound to please the very large class 
of boys who regard this popular author as a prime favorite. 


10 


A, L. BURT’S PUBLICATIONS. 


Maori and Settler: A Story of the New Zealand War. By 

G. A. Henty. With full-page Illustrations by Alfred Pearse. 

12mo, cloth, price $1.00. 

The Renshaws emigrate to New Zealand during the period of 
the war with the natives. Wilfrid, a strong, self-reliant, coura- 
geous lad, is the mainstay of the household. He has for his friend 
Mr. Atherton, a botanist and naturalist of herculean strength and 
unfailing nerve and humor. In the adventures among the Maoris, 
there are many breathless moments in which the odds seem hope^ 
lessly against the party, but they succeed in establishing them^ 
selves happily in one of the pleasant New Zealand valleys. 

“Brimful of adventure, of humorous and interesting conversation, and 
vivid pictures of colonial Schoolmaster. 

Julian McM-timerl: A Brave Boy’s Struggle for Home and Fortune. 

By Harry Castlemon. 12mo, cloth, price $1.00. 

Here is a story that will warm every boy’s heart. There is 
mystery enough to keep any lad’s imagination wound up to the 
highest pitch. The scene of the story lies west of the Mississippi 
River, in the days when emigrants made their perilous way across 
the great plains to the land of gold. One of the startling features 
of the book is the attack upon the wagon train by a large party of 
Indians. Our hero is a lad of uncommon nerve and pluck, a brave 
young American in every sense of the word. He enlists and holds 
the reader’s sympathy from the outset. Surrounded by an un- 
known and constant peril, and assisted by the unswerving fidelity 
of a stalwart trapper, a real rough diamond, our hero achieves the 
most happy results. Harry Castlemon has written many enter- 
taining stories for boys, and it would seem almost superfluous to 
say anything in his praise, for the youth of America regard him 
as a favorite author. 

Carrots:” Just a Little Boy. By Mrs. Molesworth. With 

Illustrations by Walter Crane. 12mo, cloth, price 75 cents. 

“One of the cleverest and most pleasing stories it has been our good for-, 
tune to meet with for some time. Carrots and his sister are delightful little 
beings, whom to read about is at once to become very fond ot."— Examiner, 

“A genuine children’s book; we’ve seen ’em seize it, and read it greedily! 
Children are first-rate critics, and thoroughly appreciate Walter Crane’s 
Illustrations. ’ '—Punch. 

Mopsa the Fairy. By Jean Ingelow. With Eight page 

Illustrations. 12mo, cloth, price 75 cents. 

“ Mrs. Ingelow is, to our mind, the most charming of all living writers for 
children, and ‘ Mopsa ’ alone ought to give her a kind of pre-emptive right to 
the love and gratitude of our young folks. It requires genius to conceive a 
purely imaginary work which must of necessity deal with the supernatural, 
without running into a mere riot of fantastic absurdity; but genius Miss In- 
gelow has and the story of ‘ Jack ’ is as careless and joyous, but as delicate. 
IMS a picture of childhood.”— JEdecfic. 


A. I.. BURT’S PUBLICATIONS, 


11 


A Jaunt Through Java: The Story of a Journey to the Sacred 
Mountain. By Edward S. Ellis. 12mo, cloth, price $1.00. 
The central interest of this story is found in the thrilling ado 
ventures of two cousins, Hermon and Eustace Hadley, on their 
trip across the island of Java, from Samarang to the Sacred Moun- 
tain. In a land where the Royal Bengal tiger runs at large; 
where the rhinoceros and other fierce beasts are to be met with 
at unexpected moments; it is but natural that the heroes of this 
book should have a lively experience. Hermon not only dis^^ 
tinguishes himself by killing a full-grown tiger at short range, 
but meets with the most startling adventure of the journey. 
There is much in this narrative to instruct as well ar' entertain the 
reader, and so deftly has Mr. Ellis used his material that there is 
not a dull page in the book. The two heroes are brave, manly 
young fellows, bubbling over with boyish independence. They 
cope with the many difficulties that arise during the trip in a fear- 
less way that is bound to win the admiration of every lad who is 
so fortunate as to read their adventures. 

Wrecked on Spider Island; or, How Ned Rogers Found the 
Treasure. By James Otis. 12mo, cloth, price $1.00. 

A “ down-east” plucky lad who ships as cabin boy, not from 
love of adventure, but because it is the only course remaining by 
which he can gain a livelihood. While in his bunk, seasick, 
Ned Rogers hears the captain and mate discussing their plans for 
the willful wreck of the brig in order to gain the insurance. Once 
it is known he is in possession of the secret the captain maroons 
him on Spider Island, explaining to the crew that the boy is 
afflicted with leprosy. While thus involuntarily playing the part 
of a Crusoe, Ned discovers a wreck submerged in the sand, and 
overhauling the timbers for the purpose of gathering material 
with which to build a hut finds a considerable amount of treasure. 
Raising the wreck; a voyage to Havana under sail; shipping there 
a crew and running for Savannah; the attempt of the crew to 
seize the little craft after learning of the treasure on board, and, 
as a matter of course, the successful ending of the journey, all 
serve to make as entertaining a story of sea-life as the most 
captious boy could desire. 

Geoff and Jim : A Story of School Life. By Ismay Thorn. 11 
lustrated by A. G. Walker. 12mo, cloth, price 75 cents. 

“ This is a prettily told story of the life spent by two motherless bairns at 
a small preparatory school. Both Geoff and Jim are very lovable characters, 
only Jim is the more so; and the scrapes he gets into and the trials he en- 
dures will, no doubt, interest a large circle of young readers.”— C/iwrc/i 

“This is a capital children’s story, the characters well portrayed, and the 
book tastefully bound and well illustrated.”— Sc^yolma.s<er. 

“ The story can be heartily recommended as a present fw boys. 
Standard. 


A. L. BURT’S PUBLICATIONS. 




The Castaways ; or, On the Florida Reefs. By James Otis. 

12mo, cloth, price $1.00. 

This tale smacks of the salt sea. It is just the kind of story 
that the majority of boys yearn for. From the moment that the 
Sea Queen dispenses with the services of the tug in lower New 
York bay till the breeze leaves her becalmed off the coast of 
Florida, one can almost hear the whistle of the wind through her 
rigging, the creak of her straining cordage as she heels to the 
leeward, and feel her rise to the snow-capped waves which her 
sharp bow cuts into twin streaks of foam. Off Marquesas Keys 
she floats in a dead calm. Ben Clark, the hero of the story, and 
Jake, the cook, spy a turtle asleep upon the glassy surface of the 
water. They determine to capture him, and take a boat for that 
purpose, and just as they succeed in catching him a thick fog 
cuts them off from the vessel, and then their troubles betiin. 
They take refuge on board a drifting hulk, a storm arises and they 
are cast ashore upon a low sandy key. Their adventures from 
this point cannot fail to charm the reader. As a writer for young 
people Mr. Otis is a prime favorite. His style is captivating, and 
never for a moment does he allow the interest to flag. In “ The 
Castaways ” he is at his best. 

Tom Thatcher’s Fortune. By Horatio Alger, Jr. 12mo, 

cloth, price $1.00. 

Like all of Mr. Alger’s heroes, Tom Thatcher is a brave, am- 
bitious, unselfish boy. He supports his mother and sister on 
meager wages earned as a shoe-pegger in John Simpson’s factory. 
The story begins with Tom’s discharge from the factory, because 
Mr. Simpson felt annoyed with the lad for interrogating him too 
closely about his missing father. A few days afterward Tom 
learns that which induces him to start overland for California with 
the view of probing the family mystery. He meets with many ad- 
ventures. Ultimately he returns to his native village, bringing con- 
sternation to the soul of John Simpson, who only escapes the con- 
sequences of his villainy by making full restitution to the man 
whose friendship he had betrayed. The story is told in that en- 
tertaining way which has made Mr. Alger’s name a household 
word in so many homes. 

Birdie : A Tale of Child lafe. By H. L. Childe-Pemberton. 

Illustrated by H. W. Rainey. 12mo, cloth, price 75 cents. 

, “ The story is quaint and simple, but there is a freshness about it that 
makes one hear again the ringing laugh and the cheery shout of children at 
play which charmed his earlier years. ''‘—New York Express. 

Popular Fairy Tales. By the Brothers Grimm. Profusely 

Illustrated, 12mo, cloth, price $1.00. 

“ From first to last, almost without exception, these stories are delightful.” 
—Athenoeum, 


A, L BURT’S PUBLICATIONS. 


8 


With l.afayette at Yorktown : A Story of How Two Boys 
Joined the Continental Army. By James Otis. 12mo, cloth, 
price $1.00. 

The two boys are from Portsmouth, N. H., and are introduced 
In August, 1781, when on the point of leaving home to enlist in 
Col. Scammell’s regiment, then stationed near New York City. 
Their method of traveling is on horseback, and the author has 
given an interesting account of what was expected from boys in 
the Colonial days. The lads, after no slight amount of adventure, 
are sent as messengers — not soldiers — into the south to find the 
troops under Lafayette. Once with that youthful general they 
are given employment as spies, and enter the British camp, 
bringing away valuable information. The pictures of camp-life 
are carefully drawn, and the portrayal of Lafayette’s character is 
thoroughly well done. The story is wholesome in tone, as are all 
of Mr. Otis’ works. There is no lack of exciting incident which 
the youthful reader craves, but it is healthful excitement brim- 
ming with facts which every boy should be familiar with, and 
while the reader is following the adventures of Ben Jaffreys and 
Ned Allen he is acquiring a fund of historical lore which will 
remain in his memory long after that which he has memorized 
from text-books has been forgotten. 

Lost in the Canon : Sam Willett’s Adventures on the Great 
Colorado. By Alfred R. Calhoun. 12mo, cloth, price $1.00. 
This story hinges on a fortune left to Sara Willett, the hero, 
and the fact that it will pass to a disreputable relative if the lad 
dies before he shall have reached his majority. The Vigilance 
Committee of Hurley’s Gulch arrest Sam’s father and an associate 
for the crime of murder. Their lives depend on the production 
of the receipt given for money paid. This is in Sam’s possession 
at the camp on the other side of the canon. A messenger is disr 
patched to get it. He reaches the lad in the midst of a fearful 
storm which floods the canon. His father’s peril urges Sam to 
action. A raft is built on which the boy and his friends essay to 
cross the torrent. They fail to do bo. and a desperate trip down 
the stream ensues. How the party finally escape from the hor- 
rors of their situation and Sam reaches Hurley’s Gulch in the very 
nick of time, is described in a graphic style that stamps Mr. Cal» 
houn as a master of his art. 

Jack : A Topsy Turvy Story. By C. M. Crawley-BoeveTo 
With upward of Thirty Illustrations by H. J. A. Miles. 
12mo, cloth, price 75 cents. 

“ The illustrations deserve particular mention, as they add largely to the 
interest of this amusing volume for children. Jack falls asleep with his mind 
full of the subject of the fishpond, and is very much surprised presently to 
find himself an inhabitant of Waterworld, where he goes though wonderful 
<vnd edifying adventures. A handsome and pleasant book.”— Ltterarz/ Worl^. 


14 


A. L. BURT’S PUBLICATIONS. 


Search for the Silver City : A Tale of Adventure in Yucatan. 

By James Otis. 13mo, cloth, price $1.00. 

Two American lads, Teddy Wright and Neal Emery, embark 
on the steam yacht Day Dream for a short summer cruise to the 
tropics. Homeward bound the yacht is destroyed by fire. All 
hands take to the boats, but during the night the boat is cast upon 
the coast of Yucatan. They come across a young American 
named Cummings, who entertains them with the story of the 
wonderful Silver City, of the Chan Santa Cruz Indians. Cum- 
mings proposes with the aid of a faithful Indian ally to brave 
the perils of the swamp and carry off a number of the golden 
images from the temples. Pursued with relentless vigor for days 
their situation is desperate. At last their escape is effected in an 
astonishing manner. Mr. Otis has built his story on an historical 
foundation. It is so full of exciting incidents that the reader is 
quite carried away with the novelty and realism of the narrative. 

Frank Fowler, the Cash Boy. By Horatio Alger, Jr. 12mo, 

cloth, price $1.00. 

Thrown upon his own resources Frank Fowler, a poor boy, 
bravely determines to make a living for himself and his foster- 
sister Grace. Going to New York he obtains a situation as cash 
boy in a dry goods store. He renders a service to a wealthy old 
gentleman named Wharton, who takes a fancy to the lad. Frank, 
after losing his place as cash boy, is enticed by an enemy to a 
lonesome part of New Jersey and held a prisoner. This move re- 
coils upon the plotter, for it leads to a clue that enables the lad to 
establish his real identity. Mr. Alger’s stories are not only un- 
usually interesting, but they convey a useful lesson of pluck and 
manly independence. 

Budd Boyd’s Triumph'; or, the Boy Firm of Fox Island. By 

William P. Chipman. 12mo, cloth, price $1.00. 

The scene of this story is laid on the upper part of Narragansett 
Bay, and the leading incidents have a strong salt-water flavor. 
Owing to the conviction of his father for forgery and theft, Budd 
Boyd is compelled to leave his home and strike out for himself. 
Chance brings Budd in contact with Judd Floyd. The two boys, 
being ambitious and clear sighted, form a partnership to catch 
and sell fish. The scheme is successfully launched, but the un- 
expected appearance on the scene of Thomas Bagsley, the man 
whom Budd believes guilty of the crimes attributed to his father, 
leads to several disagreeable complications that nearly caused the 
lad’s ruin. His pluck and good sense, however, carry him through 
his troubles. In following the career of the boy firm of Boyd & 
Floyd, the youthful reader will find a useful lesson — that industry 
and perseverance are bound to lead to ultimate success. 


A. L. BURT’S PUBLICATIONS. 


15 


The Errand Boy ; or, How Phil Brent Won Success. By 
Horatio Alger, Jr. 12mo, cloth, price $1.00. 

The career of “ The Errand Boy” embraces the city adventures 
of a smart country lad who at an early age was abandoned by his 
father. Philip was brought up by a kind-hearted innkeeper 
named Brent. The death of Mrs. Brent paved the way for the 
hero’s subsequent troubles. Accident introduces him to the 
notice of a retired merchant in New York, who not only secures 
him the situation of errand boy but thereafter stands as his 
friend. An unexpected turn of fortune’s wheel, however, brings 
Philip and his father together. In “The Errand Boy” Philip 
Brent is possessed of the same sterling qualities so conspicuous in 
all of the previous creations of this delightful writer for our youth. 

The Slate Picker : The Story of a Boy’s Life in the Coal Mines. 

By Harry Prentice. 12mo, cloth, price $1.00. 

This is a story of a boy’s life in the coal mines of Pennsylvania. 
There are many thrilling situations, notably that of Ben Burton’s 
leap into the “ lion’s mouth ” — the yawning shute in the breakers 
— to escape a beating at the hands of the savage Spilkins, the 
overseer. Gracie Gordon is a little angel in rags, Terence O’Dowd 
is a manly, sympathetic lad, and Enoch Evans, the miner-poet, is 
a big-hearted, honest fellow, a true friend to all whose bur- 
dens seem too heavy for them to bear. Ben Burton, the hero, had 
a hard road to travel, but by grit and energy he advanced step by 
step until he found himself called upon to fill the position of 
chief engineer of the Kohinoor Coal Company. 

A Runaway Brig ; or. An Accidental Cruise. By James Otis. 

12mo, cloth, price $1.00. 

“ A Runaway Brig ” is a sea tale, pure and simple, and that’s 
where it strikes a boy’s fancy. The reader can look out upon 
the wide shimmering sea as it flashes back the Sunlight, and 
imagine himself afloat with Harry Vandyne, Walter Morse, Jim 
Libby and that old shell-back. Bob Brace, on the brig Bonita, 
which lands on one of the Bahama keys. Finally three strangers 
steal the craft, leaving the rightful owners to shift for themselves 
aboard a broken-down tug. The boys discover a mysterious 
document which enables them to find a buried treasure, then a 
storm comes on and the tug is stranded. At last a yacht comes in 
sight and the party with the treasure is taken off the lonely key. 
The most exacting youth is sure to be fascinated with this enter- 
taining story. 

Fairy Tales and Stories. By Hans Christian Andersen. 

Profusely Illustrated, 12mo, cloth, price $1.00. 

“ If I were asked to select a child’s library I should name these three volumes 
‘English,’ ‘ Celtic,’ and ‘Indian Fairy Tales,’ with Grimm and Hans Ander- 
sen’s Fairy Tales.”— indepen-dewf. 


16 


A. L. BURT’S PUBLICATIONS. 


The Island Treasure ; or, Harry Darrel’s Fortune. By Frank 

H. Converse. 12mo, cloth, price $1.00. 

Harry Darrel, an orphan, having received a nautical training on 
a school-ship, is bent on going to sea with a boyish acquaintance 
named Dan Plunket. A runaway horse changes his prospects. 
Harry saves Dr. Gregg from drowning and the doctor presents his 
preserver with a bit of property known as Gregg’s Island, and 
makes the lad sailing-master of his sloop yacht. A piratical hoard 
is supposed to be hidden somewhere on the island. After much 
search and many thwarted plans, at last Dan discovers the 
treasure and is the means of finding Harry’s father. Mr. Con- 
verse’s stories possess a charm of their own which is appreciated 
by lads who delight in good healthy tales that smack of salt 
water. 

The Boy Explorers : The Adventures of Two Boys in Alaska. 

By Harry Prentice. 12mo, cloth, price $1.00. 

Two boys, Raymond and Spencer Manning, travel from San 
Francisco to Alaska to join their father in search of their uncle, 
who, it is believed, was captured and detained by the inhabitants 
of a place called the “ Heart of Alaska.” On their arrival at 
Sitka the boys with an Indian guide set off across the mountains. 
The trip is fraught with perils that test the lads’ courage to the 
utmost. Reaching the Yukon River they build a raft and float 
down the stream, entering the Mysterious River, from which they 
barely escape with their lives, only to be captured by natives of 
the Heart of Alaska. All through their exciting adventures the 
lads demonstrate what can be accomplished by pluck and resolu- 
tion, and their experience malces one of the most interesting tales 
ever written. 

The Treasure Finders : A Boy’s Adventures in Nicaragua. By 

James Otis. 12mo, cloth, price $1.00. 

Roy and Dean Coloney, with their guide Tongla, leave their 
father’s indigo plantation to visit the wonderful i uins of an ancient 
city. The boys eagerly explore the dismantled temples of an ex- 
tinct race and discover three golden images cunningly hidden 
away. They escape with the greatest difficulty; by taking advan- 
tage of a festive gathering they seize a canoe and fly down the 
river. Eventually they reach safety with their golden prizes. 
Mr. Otis is the prince of story tellers, for he handles his material 
with consummate skill. We doubt if he has ever written a more 
entertaining story than “ The Treasure Finders.” 

Household Fairy Tales. By the Brothers Grimm. Profusely 

Illustrated, 12mo, cloth, price $1.00. 

“ As a collection of fairy tales to delight children of all ages this work 
ranks second to none.”— Graphic, 


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